News / National
Mugabe launches Kariba South Ext power project
04 Sep 2014 at 20:53hrs | Views
The mega Kariba South Power Station extension project, which will feed an additional 300 megawatts on the national power grid upon completion, has been officially launched by President Robert Mugabe during a ground breaking ceremony in the resort town.
Officially launching the project, President Mugabe described the venture as one of government's strategies to meet the country's electricity demand and guarantee the cost and supply of energy.
"The project entails the construction of an additional two 150MW power generating units, to the current six 125MW generating units. This increases the total capacity at Marina Hydro Power Station from 750MW to 1050MW. This additional capacity will serve the peak demand, significantly reducing the load shedding that we are currently experiencing," said President Mugabe.
The President also called for the establishment of more hydro-power projects along the Zambezi River, adding that the country has a favourable regulatory framework in place for those interested in investing in the power sector.
While applauding the beginning of the power station project, President Mugabe expressed dismay at the complacency by some officials when implementing major national programmes.
Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Lin Lin pledged his country's support for Zimbabwe and expressed hope that the recent bilateral engagements between President Mugabe and his Chinese counterpart will be fruitful in promoting economic and technical co-operation.
The project is expected to cost about US$533 million of which China Export-Import Bank will provide US$320 million.
The project is set for completion at the end of 2017.
A Chinese company, Sino-Hydro will carry out the main work in the project, which will create about 700 jobs.
After launching the power project, President Mugabe proceeded to address thousands of Zimbabweans, among them Zanu PF supporters, at Nyamhunga Stadium in the resort town where he briefed them on his recent visit to China.
Cde Mugabe said top Zanu PF officials must stop imposing their will on those in the low hierarchy of the party.
He said interference by top ranking politicians pursuing personal interests was to blame for the problems that characterised the recent Youth and Women's League conferences, adding that such interference causes divisions in the party and must stop immediately.
The President ordered aggrieved parties to use formal procedures of settling disputes rather than using smear campaigns in the media.
Officially launching the project, President Mugabe described the venture as one of government's strategies to meet the country's electricity demand and guarantee the cost and supply of energy.
"The project entails the construction of an additional two 150MW power generating units, to the current six 125MW generating units. This increases the total capacity at Marina Hydro Power Station from 750MW to 1050MW. This additional capacity will serve the peak demand, significantly reducing the load shedding that we are currently experiencing," said President Mugabe.
The President also called for the establishment of more hydro-power projects along the Zambezi River, adding that the country has a favourable regulatory framework in place for those interested in investing in the power sector.
While applauding the beginning of the power station project, President Mugabe expressed dismay at the complacency by some officials when implementing major national programmes.
Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Lin Lin pledged his country's support for Zimbabwe and expressed hope that the recent bilateral engagements between President Mugabe and his Chinese counterpart will be fruitful in promoting economic and technical co-operation.
The project is expected to cost about US$533 million of which China Export-Import Bank will provide US$320 million.
The project is set for completion at the end of 2017.
A Chinese company, Sino-Hydro will carry out the main work in the project, which will create about 700 jobs.
After launching the power project, President Mugabe proceeded to address thousands of Zimbabweans, among them Zanu PF supporters, at Nyamhunga Stadium in the resort town where he briefed them on his recent visit to China.
Cde Mugabe said top Zanu PF officials must stop imposing their will on those in the low hierarchy of the party.
He said interference by top ranking politicians pursuing personal interests was to blame for the problems that characterised the recent Youth and Women's League conferences, adding that such interference causes divisions in the party and must stop immediately.
The President ordered aggrieved parties to use formal procedures of settling disputes rather than using smear campaigns in the media.
Source - zbc
