Page 9 - AfrElec Week 39 2022
P. 9
AfrElec COAL GENERATION AfrElec
Zimbabwe’s $1.5bn coal-
fired power plant project
nears completion
ZIMBABWE WORK to expand a 920MW coal-fired power generation dynamics and ensure that the nation
plant in western Zimbabwe is nearing comple- will have sufficient electricity by adding new
tion, according to reports. The $1.5bn project, units,” Construct Africa writes.
whose construction started in March 2019, “The additional capacity will help tide over
entails adding 600MW to the existing capacity. the nation’s energy deficit and improve the
United Arab Emirates-based Construct socio-economic well-being of the country by
Africa reported on September 26 that construc- attaining a balance between demand and supply
tion work is also ongoing on a 42-kilometre for the daily usage of electricity at domestic and
962mm water pipeline from the Zambezi River, international levels.”
to the Hwange Power Station. Zimbabewan state-owned daily the Chron-
The new pipeline will increase the water sup- icle reported on Thursday (September 29) that
ply to the power station from 3,500 to 6,000 m3 engineers at the Chinese-funded project are now
per hour and run parallel to the existing 900mm synchronising the sub-systems of one of its units
water pipeline supplying the plant. ahead of potential connection to the national
The new pipeline from the Deka pump sta- grid in November.
tion is estimated to cost $48.1mn, and is being “By and large, we are almost there. We are
funded by the India Exim Bank. Indian contrac- above 93% complete for both units. Unit 7 alone
tor, Afcons Infrastructure is constructing the is at 97% despite the delays of more than a year
pipeline, which is expected to be completed in because of COVID-19 and delay in payment,”
time for the commissioning of one of the two project engineer Forbes Chanakira told the
new 300MW units at Hwange Power Station. Chronicle.
“The Hwange Power Station upgrade pro- Unit 8 of the project is set to be complete by
ject will help transform Zimbabwe’s electricity the end of March 2023, officials have said.
Week 39 29•September•2022 www. NEWSBASE .com P9
