By Chiedza Muswe

Reduced demand has improved the power supply situation in the country, revealed a Cabinet Minister.

Whilst presenting the Twelfth Cabinet Decision Matrix yesterday, Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, said there was an improvement in the power supply situation in the country.

“Cabinet noted with satisfaction the improved power supply situation which can be attributed not only to reduced demand due to the demand side interventions such as the introduction of prepaid meters and also the unlocking of power imports following settlement of debts.

Cabinet also welcomed the farmer support initiatives that will guarantee agricultural production, especially the winter wheat programme,” she said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently announced that power and water supplies are given high priority.Due to Covid-19 national lockdown the country has got reduced demand from industry resulting in improved supplies for domestic consumers. Likewise there has been a reduction in demand from the business sector arising from the Covid-19 lockdown.

It has been established that Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) is already receiving additional power from Mozambique’s Hydro Cahora Bassa (HCB) and Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), which has resulted in easing of the power utility’s load-shedding schedule.

In addition to that, ZESA has commenced talks with Eskom for additional power supplies of up to 400 megawatts (MW) after recently settling its US$80 million debt with the South African power utility

ZESA has opened debt repayment negotiations with HCB with a view of settling the US$45 million debt it owes the Mozambican power utility.