News / National
Zesa intensifies disconnections
02 Apr 2012 at 04:06hrs | Views
DEFAULTERS should brace for power disconnections in the next two weeks as Zesa Holdings intensifies efforts to clear the US$76 million it owes Mozambique.
Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma yesterday said Mozambique had agreed to increase power supply in the interim if Zimbabwe cuts down its debt to below US$40 million.
This, he said, will only be possible through disconnections.
Minister Mangoma was in Mozambique last Thursday where he met his counterpart Mr Salvado Namburete to deliberate on strategies that could see Zimbabwe receive increased electricity supply.
Said Minister Mangoma: "The meeting was fruitful because the guys from Mozambique were co-operative and progressive.
"They agreed to increase power supply once we have made our payment. The guys are expecting us to bring our debt to below US$40 million and they said that is when the power supply would be increased for us."
Government, he said, plans to mobilise the money within the next two weeks.
"What this means is more power disconnections for everyone. Although I cannot disclose the amount we have at the moment, we are also going to apply multiple methods to raise the money and Government also has to look for other alternatives like loans or where to borrow," said Minister Mangoma.
Domestic and commercial electricity consumers owe Zesa Holdings about US$550 million.
Minister Mangoma said the two countries had also discussed other areas of cooperation.
"These included increasing the capacity of the new fuel pipeline which links us and the possibility of joining them (Mozambique) in their new power project," he said.
Commenting on load-shedding during the coming Easter holidays, Minister Mangoma said: "For us to have reduced load-shedding during the holidays, it all depends on whether we are able to mobilise required resources by Friday.
"If that is not the case, it means the situation would remain the same and we will continue with the power outages until we set off what we owe."
Zimbabwe requires about 2 200 megawatts daily, but generates only 1 300MW.
The remainder is met through imports from Mozambique, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The country is getting 25 MW from Mozambique.
Massive load-shedding in the country has seen most residents, especially those in high density areas, going for more than 10 hours per day without power.
The situation has been worsened by malfunctioning units at Hwange Thermal Power Station and Kariba Hydro-Power Station.
Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma yesterday said Mozambique had agreed to increase power supply in the interim if Zimbabwe cuts down its debt to below US$40 million.
This, he said, will only be possible through disconnections.
Minister Mangoma was in Mozambique last Thursday where he met his counterpart Mr Salvado Namburete to deliberate on strategies that could see Zimbabwe receive increased electricity supply.
Said Minister Mangoma: "The meeting was fruitful because the guys from Mozambique were co-operative and progressive.
"They agreed to increase power supply once we have made our payment. The guys are expecting us to bring our debt to below US$40 million and they said that is when the power supply would be increased for us."
Government, he said, plans to mobilise the money within the next two weeks.
"What this means is more power disconnections for everyone. Although I cannot disclose the amount we have at the moment, we are also going to apply multiple methods to raise the money and Government also has to look for other alternatives like loans or where to borrow," said Minister Mangoma.
Domestic and commercial electricity consumers owe Zesa Holdings about US$550 million.
"These included increasing the capacity of the new fuel pipeline which links us and the possibility of joining them (Mozambique) in their new power project," he said.
Commenting on load-shedding during the coming Easter holidays, Minister Mangoma said: "For us to have reduced load-shedding during the holidays, it all depends on whether we are able to mobilise required resources by Friday.
"If that is not the case, it means the situation would remain the same and we will continue with the power outages until we set off what we owe."
Zimbabwe requires about 2 200 megawatts daily, but generates only 1 300MW.
The remainder is met through imports from Mozambique, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The country is getting 25 MW from Mozambique.
Massive load-shedding in the country has seen most residents, especially those in high density areas, going for more than 10 hours per day without power.
The situation has been worsened by malfunctioning units at Hwange Thermal Power Station and Kariba Hydro-Power Station.
Source - TH
