HWANGE Power Station’s Units 7 and 8, are set to undergo a scheduled maintenance that is expected to take place during the festive season when power demand is low due to the traditional shutdown of the industry. This critical maintenance is anticipated to minimise the impact on the national power supply.
President Mnangagwa officially inaugurated the Hwange Units 7 and 8 Expansion Project in Matabeleland North Province on 3 August last year, a development that added an impressive 600 megawatts to the national grid.
In an interview with Sunday News, Minister of Energy and Power Development, Edgar Moyo, provided details about the ongoing maintenance schedule. “The Class C maintenance for Hwange Units 7 and 8 is set to commence in mid-November and will last until mid-January. From mid-November to mid-December, we will focus on Unit 7, followed by Unit 8 from mid-December to mid-January,” Minister Moyo said.
The decision to schedule maintenance during this specific timeframe was made with careful consideration of expected power demand.
“We anticipate reduced consumption during this period, allowing us to manage maintenance more effectively as many factories will close down for the holidays,” he said.
Minister Moyo also addressed concerns regarding the drop in water levels at Lake Kariba, which could affect power generation.
He assured that the generation output would be adjusted based on the water allocations received from the dam.
“The situation at Kariba is manageable, as we will produce according to the available allocation,” he said.
He further cautioned that power generation fluctuates daily, influenced by the operational efficiencies of the power stations.
“Currently, we are experiencing a deficit of between 350 to 600 megawatts, largely due to frequent breakdowns at Hwange Units 1-6,” Minister Moyo noted.
The maintenance of Hwange Units 7 and 8 is part of a broader effort to stabilise the power supply in the country, particularly during peak usage periods.
The recent commissioning of the expansion project aims to enhance the overall capacity of the grid and reduce reliance on other energy sources.
Historically, power shortages have had significant implications for both domestic consumption and industrial production, making this maintenance a timely initiative to ensure a more reliable electricity supply for all.
The power shortages have also been attributed to growth in the country’s manufacturing industry which has led to more energy demand driven by the Second Republic’s re-engagement effort that has seen more investment in mining and infrastructure development.