Page 14 - AfrElec Week 45 2022

AfrElec POLICY AfrElec

Zimbabwe independent

power producers generating

65MW of electricity

ZIMBABWE SEVEN independent power producers (IPPs) in due to rising demand and low generating capac-
Zimbabwe are producing 65MW of electricity, ity. The deficit worsens every winter which
about 15MW of which is generated from roof- stretches from May to around September but
top and ground-mounted solar systems, a local this year the crisis has persisted into November.
independent daily says. Magombo said major IPPs include Zim-
NewsDay cited the permanent secretary in babwe Zongxin Electric Energy Company
the ministry of energy, Gloria Magombo on (50MW), Solgas (5MW), Tanganda Tea Com-
Tuesday (November 8) saying the IPPs are help- pany (4.4MW), and crocodile producer Padenga
ing the state utility ZESA meet demand, but the (1.2MW).
southern African country still needs to import While the power deficit is hampering the
between 200MW and 450MW daily to fully economy, she said is must be taken as an invest-
meet consumption needs. ment opportunity.
“Zimbabwe imports electricity from regional “The fact that we have a supply-demand defi-
utilities (Eskom of South Africa, HCB of cit presents a huge opportunity for investments,”
Mozambique and Zesco of Zambia) to augment Magombo said. “We are also open to innovative
its internal generation capacity,” she said. “With solutions to meet our demand. We believe that
a maximum demand of between 1,700MW to over and above external investors, we should
1,850MW against an internal generation capac- urge local investors, including pension funds
ity of 1,400MW, the country imports between and insurance companies to invest in the energy
200MW and 450MW to meet this deficit.” sector.”™
Zimbabwe has lacked electricity since 2007

P14 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 45 09•November•2022