Construction of Hwange Power Station starts, Project to create jobs for 7,000 people


Devdiscourse News Desk | Harare | Updated: 07-02-2019 19:12 IST | Created: 07-02-2019 19:12 IST
Construction of Hwange Power Station starts, Project to create jobs for 7,000 people
The project has received a contribution of around USD 1 billion from China’s Exim Bank through a loan facility. Image Credit: Pexels
  • Country:
  • Zimbabwe

The construction of Hwange Power Station 7 and 8 extension project of Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority has started. The project is likely to be completed with 42 months in an allocated budget of USD 1.4 billion.

China-based energy system giant Sino Hydro is responsible for adding 600 megawatts to current installed power generation capacity of 920MW. The plant was commissioned by Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa in March last year.

Once Hwange Power Station 7 and 8 extension project is completed, it is expected to augment Zimbabwe’s power generation capacity beyond the current peak period demand for electricity of 1,600MW, which outstrips internal supply of 1,400MW. Although the country is suffering from economic turmoil and the shortage of foreign currency, it managed to spend USD 5 million weekly to import power from Hydro Cahora Bassa of Mozambique and South Africa’s Eskom.

The project has received a contribution of around USD 1 billion from China’s Exim Bank through a loan facility. On the other hand, the overall project is likely to provide jobs to over 7,000 people directly or indirectly. Even 100 workers are said to be recruited on a 36-months fixed contract for the extension project.

The initial preparatory works had been completed and that actual construction works on the HPS extension project are currently underway.

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