By Tendai Matunhu
Minister of Energy and Power Development, Fortune Chasi has called upon Zimbabweans to refrain from vandalising electricity transformers and cables as this affects transmission of power.
Speaking at the annual energy innovations summit 2019 today at the Rainbow Towers, Minister Chasi said vandalism had reached unprecedented levels in this country, as he receives at least five cases of vandalism daily. Minister Chasi went on to say that there will be reshuffling of ZESA staff in all provinces and stations following the vandalism as ZESA staff were the suspects.
The Minister highlighted that he will propose to cabinet and Parliament soon for a minimum 30 year sentence to those caught vandalising transformers and cables or in the possession of transformer oil. He encouraged everyone to help in the fight against vandalism as this was a serious matter and had to stop.
He went on to encourage businesses and individuals to install and use solar energy highlighting that the Ministry would soon be launching the Renewable Energy Policy. He said this would reduce load shedding drastically and encouraged ZESA to go for solar energy.
Minister Chasi highlighted that his Ministry was working together with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and ZIMRA to ensure that all solar geysers and other solar gadgets are imported for free.
He said this year’s drought had affected many countries in southern Africa, meaning that Kariba hydro-electric power plant could not operate optimally. He highlighted that the available power was not enough that is why President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially launched the construction of a 150MW thermal power station at the Hwange Power Station with the first unit expected to start running around October 2021 and the second unit in 2022 to help ameliorate the electricity challenge.
Minister Chasi said arrangements with South Africa and Mozambique had been made in the mean time for the country to get power, therefore there was need to control what the country is getting from the neighbouring countries.
Minister Chasi went on to encourage journalists to report correct information because bad publicity chased away potential investors.
