The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC)’s Harare Thermal Power Plant is now producing electricity after undergoing routine maintenance. Harare power station is an approximately 90 megawatt coal-fired power station located along Coventry Road in Harare.
According to generation statistics released by ZPC on 7 March 2023, Harare was generating 10 MW, Hwange 391 MW, and Kariba South Bank Power Station 292MW giving a total of 693MW, up from 260MW.
Meanwhile, the Kariba Dam water level is rising gradually. According to Zimbabwe River Authority (ZRA), as of 06 March 2023, Lake Kariba had 15.15% of usable storage meant for power generation.
However, Zimbabwe’s peak electricity demand in summer is 1 800MW. The country is currently importing a reported 500MW from South Africa, Zambia, and Mozambique.
Source: Pindula News
Zimbabwe Power Company- Power Column Q4 2022
The Deka Upgradation Project is 85% complete and on course to be done by 31 March 2023. Current works include pipe laying and fitting, construction of the gravel access road along the pipeline and excavation of the pipeline trench. The pipeline project is critical to enhance functionality of the Hwange Thermal Power Station which is being boosted with 600MW capacity under a US$1.4 Billion investment.
Unit 5 at Hwange is currently awaiting life extension which is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2023.
In the period under review, ZPC produced 1,719 GWh, falling short of its quarterly goal of 2,490GWh by 30.96%. The power generation utility missed its 9,111GWh annual energy sent out target for 2022 by 7.29%.
Kariba South Power Station was allocated 22.5Bm3 of water by Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) for power generation in 2022. Due to incessant breakdown of the aged units at the Hwange Power Station and limited foreign currency to import electricity, Kariba South Power Station used up more water. This reduced water level necessitated the lessening of the station’s generation to an average of 250MW as opposed to 606 MW.
Small thermals collectively produced 31.33GWh of energy, falling 55.45% short of the quarterly goal of 70.32GWh. The thermal stations’ failure to attain scheduled generation levels in the fourth quarter of 2022 was caused by incessant plant challenges and limited coal supplies.
Hwange Power Station generated with an average of three units during the quarter compared to a target of five units as per the 2022 production plan, missing the quarterly energy sent out target by 34.02%.
Source: Zimbabwe Power Company
Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority- Fuel Price Review
The Regulatory Authority continues to monitor the retail price of petrol and Diesel. In an announcement for the month of March, ZERA publicised a marginal increase in the price of blended petrol from USD1.61 to USD1.62. The cost of diesel dropped from USD1.70 to USD1.67. The blending ratio of unleaded petrol remained at 5 percent.
Operators have leeway to sell the petroleum products below the prescribed prices depending on their trading advantages. They are required to display prices in a prominent place as provided for by the pricing regulations.
In February, the regulator shifted from weekly to monthly fuel price updates in a bid to ensure stability over a protracted period. This means a new update will be issued on 10 April 2023.
Source: The Chronicle
Text By Robert Mandeya