Why we’re stuck in the dark
Don’t know about you but 16 hour long power cuts are starting to get me down. This update from the Zimbabwe Power Company helps to explain the current spate of bad power:
It is with regret that I advise of the fact that we (Zimbabwe Power Company) lost the four producing units at Hwange Power Station yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 25th April). One unit was brought back onto the grid last night and we hope to bring a second, larger unit, back around 4am tomorrow (Friday 26th April). Repair on the third unit is scheduled for completion such that it will be ‘returned to service’ on Saturday morning. Two phase one (smaller) units are having their rotors re-wired in South Africa – this is major work.
Kariba has five units on line with the sixth due back on the grid in mid-May after routine, but critical, maintenance ahead of winter.
The Hwange and Kariba expansion plans remain on program at this time. The tenders are out and close in June. this will be followed by 2 three month periods for tender review and finalisation of funding/award. Thereafter construction will take between three to four years (2016-17).
R. Maasdorp
Chairman ZPC
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Update from the ZPC Chairman – 10pm 29 April:
Please be advised that the 4 units at Hwange Power Station are now back on the grid. I take this opportunity to thank those, at the station, who worked extremely long hours to get these units operational. In addition I thank ZETDC technical support staff for the rapid response to this situation.