ENERGY and Power Development minister, Dzikamai Mavhaire, yesterday expressed concern over delays in the implementation of the Emergency Power Infrastructure Rehabilitation Projects (EPIRP) funded by the Zimbabwe Multi-Donor Trust Fund (ZimFund).
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Mavhaire made the remarks while commissioning Norton’s 88kV substation.
“My ministry was disappointed by the delays in the implementation of the projects (EPIRP) despite the fund being declared effective in October 2010,” Mavhaire said.
“The procurement process only began in 2012 and most contracts only became effective in 2013, therefore failing to respond to the emergency nature of the project works.”
Mavhaire said despite the slow start of the projects he hopes that delays from the phase one will be eliminated in future.
“The second face of EPIRP which was launched in March this year is expected to cover environmental management at Hwange Power Station and further reinforcement of transmission system,” Mavhaire said.
“In power distribution, the EPIRP will focus on the establishment of dedicated power supply circuits to water and sewerage works at Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant, Warren Water Pumping Station, Crowborough Sewage Treatment Plant and Firle Sewage Treatment Works.”
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Mavhaire said the Norton Substation which now has a 50MVA, 88Kv transformer, its protection equipment and associated switchgear and four new circuit breakers will contribute power supplies to Morton Jaffray Water Works, one of the major suppliers of water to Harare, Chitungwiza, and Ruwa.
“This substation also supplies Mhondoro Rural Hospital, 14 rural district clinics, 40 primary schools and 24 secondary schools.” Mavhaire said.
The commissioning of the Norton Substation Power Transformer is one of the EPIRP projects under the ZimFund phase one.
The ZimFund project was launched in 2010 for mobilising donor resources to improve the provision of adequate and reliable power supply through the rehabilitation of the distribution facilities in the country.
As part of the EPIRP projects, transformers are expected to be replaced at Mazowe, Atlanta (in Murehwa), Pomona and Stamford (in Dzivaresekwa, Harare), Mpopoma and Criterion (in Bulawayo) substations, adding a total of 345 MVA transformer capacity to the grid.
In addition to the power project, ZimFund is also supporting the Urgent Water Supply and Sanitation Project (UWSSRP) which will rehabilitate water supply and sanitation plants in the municipalities of Mutare, Chegutu, Chitungwiza, Harare, Kwekwe and Masvingo.
