Expansion of Hwange thermal power station has gathered steady momentum, with the contractor, Sino Hydro and ZPC having pooled together $3 million for the pre-commencement works to begin.
During a station tour with the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Dr Samuel Undenge and his deputy Tsitsi Muzenda, ZPC Managing Director, Noah Gwariro mentioned that the $3 million dollars would enable the contractor to mobilise on site for the initial works. “ZPC has contributed $1 million and Sino Hydro has poured in $2 million because we agreed that we have to do some activities upfront so that when funding is released, there will not be any delays on the project,” he said.
Speaking during the tour, Dr. Undenge mentioned that energy is a vital factor in the successful implementation of Zim-Asset and ZPC should leave no stone unturned in making sure there is increased power generation.
“I am highly impressed that something is taking place here because the generation of power has improved from 2013 to 2014 and we expect more this year,” he said.
“Without energy, industry will collapse and this is why we are saying energy is a critical factor in the economic blue print. It is our hope that other power projects in the pipeline will soon consummate and work will start on the sites.”
Three specialist engineers from Sino Hydro are now stationed at Hwange Power Station for pre-commencement works. They are currently working on route surveys for the power line and conducting a site layout before they carry out the geotechnical and topographical surveys.
Consultations on financial closure are currently in progress between the Government of Zimbabwe and China.