News / National
Zesa Holdings warns customers countrywide of an increase in load-shedding
14 Mar 2012 at 22:44hrs | Views
CONSUMERS should brace for a further increase in load-shedding due to depressed capacity to import power from the region and the low generation at local stations, Zesa said yesterday.
The development has sparked a public outcry with businesspeople saying the move would further destroy industrial production in the country.
The power utility yesterday issued a statement warning consumers that it would tighten the load-shedding regime.
"Zesa Holdings would like to advise its valued customers countrywide that there is an increase in load-shedding outside the publicised schedules due to depressed local generation," read the statement.
"The situation is being further compounded by depressed capacity to import power from the region. Consumers are being urged to use available electricity very sparingly to minimise the effects of load-shedding."
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Matabeleland region chairperson Mrs Ntombenhle Moyo said increased load-shedding was going to cripple economic activity especially in industries.
"This is going to worsen the operations of industries, which are already struggling. It means there would not be any production at all. I am seeing a bleak future.
"The main problem is that Zesa has a monopoly in power generation. This monopoly has to end. We need to lure more investors into the power industry and allow new players into the sector to ease the problem," said Mrs Moyo.
"It is quite sad that Zesa announces such a message when consumers have suffered for so long.
"At the same time Zesa is charging people exorbitant tariffs in exchange for poor service. People have no option because Zesa has no competitor."
The chief executive officer of the Association for Business in Zimbabwe, Mr Lucky Mlilo, said power supply was a thorny issue in Zimbabwe.
He said it was sad that the Government was not doing anything to salvage the situation despite repeated concerns by consumers.
"This is a national issue that Government should consider urgently. Power is a key enabler in business and the message of increased load-shedding does not augur well with us. There is no bright future for business.
"It is clear that Zesa is failing to meet national demand. The Government should inject some money for the power utility to stand on its feet," said Mr Mlilo.
The Minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals, Mr Gorden Moyo, said Zesa was failing to fulfill its mandate because of operational constraints.
He said the power utility's machinery at the major power stations such as Hwange and Kariba was obsolete.
Minister Moyo agreed that there was a need for the Government to establish a new station to augment power generation.
"The problem is low power generation capacity by Zesa. At the moment, Zesa generates power from Hwange, Kariba and other small stations in Bulawayo and Harare.
"The machinery at these stations is obsolete and needs maintenance.
"Zesa is also importing power from other countries in the region. Power imports have been reduced because of the debt we have to our regional suppliers, which has made one of them cut supplies to us," said Mr Moyo.
"Zesa has a big challenge and all we need is to set up new power generation plants and this can take us not less than four years.
"There is a need to identify alternative energy sources such as solar and maybe start tapping methane gas in Lupane.
"More investment is needed on this sector and the Government should take measures on this issue."
Zesa is on record as saying $800 million was required for the rehabilitation of its equipment in the power stations dotted around the country.
With the ballooning population and the growth of urban settlements as well as the rural electrification programme, the power utility faces a mammoth task.
Earlier this year, Mozambican Hydro Cahora Bassa threatened to switch off Zimbabwe over non-payment for power exports.
The company is owed more than $80 million.
Apart from Mozambique, Zesa also imports power from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The power crisis has seen Zesa drawing swords with consumers especially residents who have repeatedly staged massive demonstrations demanding adequate service.
The residents accuse Zesa of charging huge tariffs for poor service.
On the other hand, the power utility cries foul over the ballooning consumers debt.
Of late Zesa has launched a massive crackdown on defaulters that include Cabinet ministers and other senior Government officials in a bid to recover more than $450 million owed to it in unpaid tariffs.
Some of the ministers are said to be owing up to $100 000.
The development has sparked a public outcry with businesspeople saying the move would further destroy industrial production in the country.
The power utility yesterday issued a statement warning consumers that it would tighten the load-shedding regime.
"Zesa Holdings would like to advise its valued customers countrywide that there is an increase in load-shedding outside the publicised schedules due to depressed local generation," read the statement.
"The situation is being further compounded by depressed capacity to import power from the region. Consumers are being urged to use available electricity very sparingly to minimise the effects of load-shedding."
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Matabeleland region chairperson Mrs Ntombenhle Moyo said increased load-shedding was going to cripple economic activity especially in industries.
"This is going to worsen the operations of industries, which are already struggling. It means there would not be any production at all. I am seeing a bleak future.
"The main problem is that Zesa has a monopoly in power generation. This monopoly has to end. We need to lure more investors into the power industry and allow new players into the sector to ease the problem," said Mrs Moyo.
"It is quite sad that Zesa announces such a message when consumers have suffered for so long.
"At the same time Zesa is charging people exorbitant tariffs in exchange for poor service. People have no option because Zesa has no competitor."
The chief executive officer of the Association for Business in Zimbabwe, Mr Lucky Mlilo, said power supply was a thorny issue in Zimbabwe.
He said it was sad that the Government was not doing anything to salvage the situation despite repeated concerns by consumers.
"This is a national issue that Government should consider urgently. Power is a key enabler in business and the message of increased load-shedding does not augur well with us. There is no bright future for business.
"It is clear that Zesa is failing to meet national demand. The Government should inject some money for the power utility to stand on its feet," said Mr Mlilo.
The Minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals, Mr Gorden Moyo, said Zesa was failing to fulfill its mandate because of operational constraints.
He said the power utility's machinery at the major power stations such as Hwange and Kariba was obsolete.
Minister Moyo agreed that there was a need for the Government to establish a new station to augment power generation.
"The problem is low power generation capacity by Zesa. At the moment, Zesa generates power from Hwange, Kariba and other small stations in Bulawayo and Harare.
"The machinery at these stations is obsolete and needs maintenance.
"Zesa is also importing power from other countries in the region. Power imports have been reduced because of the debt we have to our regional suppliers, which has made one of them cut supplies to us," said Mr Moyo.
"Zesa has a big challenge and all we need is to set up new power generation plants and this can take us not less than four years.
"There is a need to identify alternative energy sources such as solar and maybe start tapping methane gas in Lupane.
"More investment is needed on this sector and the Government should take measures on this issue."
Zesa is on record as saying $800 million was required for the rehabilitation of its equipment in the power stations dotted around the country.
With the ballooning population and the growth of urban settlements as well as the rural electrification programme, the power utility faces a mammoth task.
Earlier this year, Mozambican Hydro Cahora Bassa threatened to switch off Zimbabwe over non-payment for power exports.
The company is owed more than $80 million.
Apart from Mozambique, Zesa also imports power from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The power crisis has seen Zesa drawing swords with consumers especially residents who have repeatedly staged massive demonstrations demanding adequate service.
The residents accuse Zesa of charging huge tariffs for poor service.
On the other hand, the power utility cries foul over the ballooning consumers debt.
Of late Zesa has launched a massive crackdown on defaulters that include Cabinet ministers and other senior Government officials in a bid to recover more than $450 million owed to it in unpaid tariffs.
Some of the ministers are said to be owing up to $100 000.
Source - TC
