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Sikhulekelani Moyo

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POWER utility, ZESA, has taken the newly synchronised 300MW Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 expansion off the grid to pave the way for the final commissioning phase before the contractor hands over the project to the country. 

The development has resulted in a drastic dip in domestic electricity generation and supply leading to the recent temporary power outages, said the utility while assuring the market the situation will soon be restored to normality. 

Since the end of March, Zimbabwe had enjoyed increased power generation and supply following the successful synchronisation of Hwange Unit 7. 

Coupled with increased water allocations at Kariba Hydro-Thermal Power Station, the country’s electricity situation had steadily improved with combined output hovering around  1 200MW, recovering from the lowest of below 400MW early this year.

ZETDC

After Hwange Unit 7, which is set for official commissioning sometime next month, Zimbabwe expects to bring on stream Unit 8 expansion, which will add another 300MW with the synchronisation process tentatively set before the end of this month.

Built at a cost of about US$1,4 billion by a Chinese contractor, Hwange Unit 7 and 8 expansion is one of the Second Republic’s signature projects aimed at boosting power generation to support economic transformation in line with the National Development Strategy (NDS1).

Zesa subsidiary, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) said Hwange Unit 7 has been undergoing successful commissioning tests, which saw it supplying a full load of 300MW to the national grid in some instances.

Following a successful reliability run, it said the unit was being taken off the grid in preparation for the final commissioning, which entails among others evaluation and finetuning of all technical systems.

“We would like to advise our valued stakeholders that the Hwange Unit 7, which is still undergoing commissioning tests has successfully completed the reliability run. Engineers have taken it off the grid for evaluation of all systems in preparation for the final phase of commissioning (performance guarantees test),” said the utility.

“This entails temporary removal of 300MW from the grid resulting in our customers not enjoying the general power stability that had been obtained in the past days. The unit is expected back online within the next few days. Any inconveniences are sincerely regretted.”

Following the development, total domestic power generation had dropped to 853MW as of yesterday with 522MW from Kariba, 320MW from Hwange, and 11MW from Harare power station.

As part of measures to further boost power generation, Energy and Power Development Minister, Zhemu Soda, has revealed that US$310 million has been secured towards the rehabilitation of Hwange Units 1 to 6, which is set to commence after the synchronisation of Unit 8.

After the rehabilitation of the six units, Hwange will be able to produce a maximum of 1 520MW with 920MW from units 1 to 6 and 600MW from unit 7 and 8. — @SikhulekelaniM1