Harare thermal power station resumes operations

Harare Thermal Power Station has resumed operations and is adding 16 megawatts to the national grid, an official said last Friday.

The thermal power station closed late last year due to depleting coal stocks.

Zimbabwe Power Company managing director Mr Noah Gwariro said all the power stations in the country were now operating.

"The Harare Thermal Power Station is now running and is producing 16MW to the national output complementing efforts from Hwange, Kariba and Munyati," he said.

Mr Gwariro, however, said operation of the thermal station would not end load shedding woes.

He said the slight increase in load shedding was being triggered by a surge in the demand of electricity associated with the winter season.

"Due to high demand for heating purposes owing to low temperatures, load shedding will increase. Maintenance work on two power units at Kariba and one at Hwange are also some of the reasons why load shedding had increased," he said.

Currently Hwange is producing 518MW, Kariba 525MW,  Bulawayo 26MW and Munyati 25MW while the 16MW are generated at Harare translates to1 110MW countrywide, against a current average national demand of 1 550MW.

The shortfall of 335MW has mainly been met from imports supplied by Hydro Cabora Bassa in Mozambique.