Rudo Saungweme

In a move to improve power generation in the country, Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has approved the new coal price of RTGS$ 88 per tonne from US$26.50 per tonne.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that ZPC was increasing the current 250 Megawatts to 415 Megawatts and would further increase the power generation to 500 Megawatts.

“The approval by Zesa Holdings to the new coal price of RTGS$88 per tonne from US$26, 50 has been accepted by those who supply coal to ZPC, that is Makomo Resources, Hwange Colliery and Zambezi Gas. Because of this development, ZPC Company is set to increase power generation at Hwange Thermal Power Station from the current 250 Megawatts to 415 Megawatts.

The suppliers are willing to supply more coal since ZPC has responded to the call by these suppliers to adjust prices following the liberalization of the country’s exchange rate,” the source revealed.

ZPC is also on the verge of repairing the ATPS Unit 6 route earth fault.

The source revealed that the much needed currency needed to repair the ATPS will be attained from exporting power so as to ease the company’s hard currency challenges.

“ZPC needs foreign currency to repair its ATPS Unit 6 route earth fault. The Ministry of Energy and Power Development has given ZPC Company the mandate to export about 50 Megawatts from Hwange Thermal Power Station so as to ease the company’s hard currency challenges,” said the source.

The decision to import power was made so that ZPC will continue to maintain its equipment which requires imported spare parts on a regular basis to sustain power generation, Harare Post has learnt.