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Leonard Ncube in Hwange

THE US$48,1 million, 42km Deka water pipeline, which will supply water to Hwange Power Station from the Zambezi River, was yesterday commissioned as the Second Republic continues to implement a raft of strategies aimed at reducing the country’s energy deficit. 

Hwange Power Station, the country’s largest coal-fired power plant, draws raw water for electricity generation and cooling from the Zambezi River and the Deka water project is crucial in that regard.

Exim Bank of India funded the project through a US$48,1 million credit line to ensure the extended Hwange Power Station, Units 7 and 8, have adequate water for boilers and cooling, with an extra supply for the local Deka community.

The Deka Upgrade Project started on October 1, 2021, with President Mnangagwa officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the pipeline in March 2022.

The 962mm pipeline runs parallel to the existing one used by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) for water supply to the power station and Hwange community, with three offtakes along the way.

The Indian Government, the financing contractor for the project that connects the power station to the Deka High Lift Pump Station on the Zambezi River, handed over the completed project to the Government through the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) in Hwange yesterday.

Indian Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Puneet Kundal led an Indian delegation that included the Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Vijay Khanduja.

Speaking at the handover and commissioning ceremony, Energy and Power Development Minister, Edgar Moyo said Zimbabwe is facing a power deficit of about 600MW largely because of rising demand and climate change-induced drought.

He bemoaned continued vandalism of electricity infrastructure, which has risen to a cumulative US$18 million since 2016.

“I am honoured to officiate at this landmark official handover ceremony for the Deka upgrade project that is directly linked towards enhancing the electricity generating infrastructure in Zimbabwe. The project is in support of the national vision of infrastructure development, to see Zimbabwe achieve an empowered upper middle-income society,” said Minister Moyo.

“The Deka upgrading project is contributing towards the generation of 600MW more power at Hwange Power Station through the Unit 7 and 8 Expansion Project. 

“This project was implemented at a cost of US$48,1 million having been availed through cooperation between the Governments of Zimbabwe and India via the Indian Exim Bank.”

Minister Moyo paid tribute to the Indian Government for extending support for the project, saying without it, power generation at Hwange Power Station would not have been possible.

“It is not a secret that currently the country’s power generation capacity is not sufficient to match the demand. Presently, the country is realising an average of 1 300MW from local, generation against an average peak demand of 1 900MW,” he said.

“This gives a deficit of at most 600MW that is met through imports from our neighbours.” 

The minister said the Government has put in place policies and plans to avert this situation.

Some of the measures include the implementation of the National Energy Policy formulated in 2012 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) whose goal is to achieve universal access to modern energy services for all Zimbabweans by 2030.

Minister Moyo said demand for power keeps rising and projections are that by the end of 2030, national demand would have increased to about 5 000MW hence the need for continual development of energy.

To that end, the Government is working on a National Power Supply Strategy that will prioritise projects based on demand, applicable technology, economic viability, environmental and social effects.

“I am proud to mention that my Ministry is walking to talk. In 2018 we witnessed the commissioning of Kariba Hydropower Station which injected 300MW more into the national grid. Last year we also gathered to witness the commissioning of Hwange Unit 7 and 8 which is injecting 600MW,” said Minister Moyo.

“Had it not been for the climate change-induced El Nino that caused curtailment of output from the Kariba Hydropower Station, the country would not be currently experiencing a power deficit.”

Minister Moyo said the Government intends to refurbish Hwange Stages 1 and 2 to increase generation to 840MW from 400MW and funding for the project to the tune of US$310 million will be provided by the Government of India through a similar facility that saw the upgrading of the Deka pipeline project. 

A further US$110 million will also be transferred from the Bulawayo repairing project to augment the refreshing efforts. 

“Government is doing all in its power to ensure access to modern energy for all Zimbabweans. It is my plea that we all in turn play our part by paying for the services provided by the power utility company Zesa,” said Minister Moyo.

“Zesa is currently owed billions of dollars by its customers. Surely this kind of money can go a long way in service provision. Let us be responsible on this matter otherwise, our dream of sustainable energy for all will not be realised.”

The minister said the transmission grid needs to be revamped to improve efficiency and stability and urged the private sector to come on board.

He said the value lost due to vandalism continues to surge from US$2.8 million in 2016 to a peak of US$6.5 million in 2019 and a cumulative total of US$18.6 million until 2020, with over US$3 million worth of power infrastructure vandalised in 2021 alone.

Mr Kundal said the project is a special development for the two countries. 

Chief Whange thanked the Government for the project which also provides water to his community.