Opinion / Columnist
ZESA holds the key to economic revival
08 Jul 2014 at 09:42hrs | Views
It is well known that electricity is the backbone of each industrialized society and economy. The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Holdings should continue working extremely hard so as to maximize its power supply to every sector of the country's economy.
Almost every aspect of the country's economy depends on power. Electricity is needed in sectors such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing where it provides lighting and powers a variety of machines.
Energy plays the most vital role in the economic growth, progress and development, as well as poverty eradication and security of any nation. Sufficient electricity is especially important as the country strives to achieve sustainable development in the industrial sector.
For a number of years the country has been facing power challenges which have negatively affected the day to day functioning of the industry. Some companies have been forced to use generators as back up which adds to the cost of performing their business, while others have totally lost their business. ZESA Holdings should continue to seek ways of improving the power supply so as increase the output production of business in the industry.
Economic growth is a fundamental requirement for the development of a country.
Without enough power supply, any society and economy ceases to function properly. Lack of enough power can be more detrimental, especially to a developing country like Zimbabwe as it diminishes the level of production output.
It is indeed acknowledged that energy is both an economic good and production factor. Economic development cannot go ahead if there is insufficient energy to fuel it. For that reason, electricity becomes the bedrock for better living conditions. It is therefore imperative for ZESA Holdings to give more attention to issues that deal with adequate energy supply inorder for the country's economic status to recover.
It is said that excess electricity is generated at night when most industrial and domestic electrical machines and gadgets will be switched off. ZESA Holdings' positive decision to export the electricity to neighbouring countries can be applauded as this development will likely to minimize high levels of load shedding during the day. The revenue generated from exporting electricity during off-peak hours may be used to produce more electricity during the day.
It is sensible that the exportation of electricity at night was also justified by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) managing director Engineer Julian Chinembiri.
"During off peak hours when households would have switched off most of their electrical appliances, we remain with excess power. It is more prudent for us to export than to switch off generators during the time when we have excess electricity," he said.
ZESA Holdings should continue making efforts of beating a peak demand of electricity which is pegged at 2200 megawatts.
It is also impressing to note that the Government together with ZESA Holdings are in the process of expanding Kariba South and Hwange Thermal Power Station so that they produce 300 and 600 megawatts respectively.
In short, it is hard to imagine a modern economy functioning without reliable and high-quality electricity; therefore the responsible authorities should continue searching for more resources to boost the levels of power supply.
Source - Peacemaker Zano
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
