The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) has warned the public to brace for extended load-shedding periods following the recent collapse of three units at Hwange Power Station (HPS).
Zesa spokesperson Fullard Gwasira yesterday said the breakdown meant HPS had lost 360 megawatts out of its estimated 780 megawatts.
“We have experienced a problem with our diesel pumps at the station where the pump bearings ceased, leading to the collapse of three units under stage one at the station,” he said.
“Each unit produces 120 megawatts, meaning that we have lost 360 megawatts.”
Under normal circumstances, if HPS has all its six units working, it generates 780 megawatts. “We have sent experts there to ascertain the damage and its cost,” he said.
“The best we can do right now is to purchase new pumps to replace the existing ones. The country will experience extended load-shedding, outside the normal load-shedding hours. We are moving swiftly to make sure that the problem is attended to.”
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The country is currently subjected to 15 hours per day of critical periods of load-shedding emanating from power outages at HPS.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company, a subsidiary of Zesa, recently revealed Zimbabwe would continue to have serious load-shedding and power outages until 2014, as the power utility was struggling to raise $125 million needed to repair the outdated HPS generators.
It also stated that $8 billion was needed for the country to restore optimum power production levels.
Government has been battling to improve the power generation capacity in the country while Zesa has said it is owed over $500 million by consumers countrywide in unpaid electricity charges.
But, Zimbabweans from all walks of life have castigated Zesa for what they term unrealistic charges and erratic power supplies.