Hwange fault triggers massive load-shedding

Power utility Zesa yesterday said the power outages experienced in most parts of the country were due to technical fault at Hwange Power Station.

Zesa spokesman Fullard Gwasira said technicians were working round the clock to rectify the problem.

Gwasira said they lost generation due to external system disturbance which then tripped generation of power at the station.

Meanwhile, the joint venture between government and China Africa Sunlight Energy Private Limited (Caseco) is expected to be completed soon, a move that would ease power shortages.

Speaking at a breakfast meeting held on Wednesday, Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa said power generation was key and had to be addressed because when things normalize, power shortages would escalate due to increased demand.

Chinamasa said in the energy sector, we tabled the China Sunlight Gwayi integrated coal thermal transmission project at almost $2 billion.

It is an independent power producer although they are joint partners with China. Of that amount, $1,3 billion will be for integrated coal mining and electricity generation and the remainder to be invested over the next five years.

The project is expected to generate 600 megawatts (MW).