Hwange Power Station breaks down, load shedding increases

Zimbabwe's state owned power utility company says its Hwange Power Station broke down on Wednesday forcing it to cut electricity to households for 16 hours a day.

Richard Maasdorp, the chairman of the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a subsidiary of Zesa Holdings said four units at the thermal power station collapsed.

One unit was brought back onto the grid the same night and the second larger unit was expected back online on Friday.

"Repair on the third unit is scheduled for completion such that it will be returned to service on Saturday morning," Maasdorp said.

"Two phase one (smaller) units are having their rotors re-wired in South Africa- this is major work."

The coal-fired Hwange station is reportedly producing only 81 megawatts (MW) of electricity down from the usual 501 MW.

The station has a capacity to generate 900 MW of electricity but it has been reduced by lack of maintenance.

Zesa is currently drawing most of its supplies from the Kariba South hydroelectric power station and limited imports from Mozambique.

The country consumes about 2 200 MW of electricity but Zesa currently provides only 990 MW.

The main Kariba station is also operating below its capacity because it is undergoing routine maintenance.

"Kariba has five units on line with the sixth due back on the grid in mid-May after routine, but critical, maintenance ahead of winter," Maarsdorp said.

Zesa is battling to clear a US$80 million debt to Mozambique's state owned  Hydro Cahora Bassa for the company to resume normal electricity imports.

The Mozambicans reduced supplies over the debt and demanded that Zimbabwe pays at least half of the debt.

Energy and Power Development minister Elton Mangoma said the debt would be cleared by Monday after major Mimmosa and Zimplats provided the money.