Grace Chekai

India has injected US$48.1 million towards the Deka Upgradation Project in Hwange.

Speaking during a tour of the Deka Upgradation Project today, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said, “On behalf of the Government and people of Zimbabwe, I would like to express our profound gratitude for the support we received from the Government of the Republic of India, who provided a US$48.1 million facility through the Indian Exim Bank, for this particular project.”

President Mnangagwa applauded the infrastructure development projects that are on-going in the rural industry systems.

“In addition, the ongoing establishment of rural industry systems, the massive infrastructure projects under devolution such as schools and health centres will all need to be powered. The ongoing boom in housing development and the construction sector due to Government`s programmes and that of private players alike, will equally exert pressure on our national power needs,” said President Mnangagwa.

He added that the projections are that by end of 2023, the national demand for power will have increased by about 400MW, taking average peak demand to 2000MW.

President Mnangagwa encouraged all stakeholders in the energy sector to be proactive and to put all in place and complete all fundamental projects towards ensuring the continuous development and improvement in national power generation and distribution.

He said that the capacity of the Deka Pipeline will be increased from the current 3 500 cubic meters of water per hour to over 6 000 cubic meters per hour upon completion.

The Deka Upgradation Project will go a long way in facilitating the Second Republic`s efforts to enhance electricity generation by solving the water supply challenges often being experienced at Hwange Power Station.