By Virginia Njovo
Despite the completion of Mutirikwi Hydro -Power Plant which commenced power generation recently, awaiting official opening, Masvingo is still facing long hours of loadshedding.
Masvingo is currently facing around 16 hours of load shedding and only gets power between 10 pm and 5 a.m despite government promises that the hydropower plant generating 5MW which are fed into the national grid will ease the province’s power problems.
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa told TellZim News that as generation commenced they were going to speak to ZESA officials so that Masvingo benefits more from the project.
“The plant has now started generating the 5 MW which is almost quarter of what Masvingo needs and the generated power is fed into the national grid so we will talk with ZESA that Masvingo must benefit more from this plant so as to improve the power situation in the province,” said Dr Pazvakavambwa.
Dr Pazvakavambwa added that there is also a 15 MW plant to be established at Tugwi-Mukosi which is in Chivi.
“Work has already started at Tugwi Mukosi where a 15 MW power plant is to be established, and we have a vision of establishing more power plants in Masvingo as we hold much capacity of water and by then woes to power shortages will become a dream in the province,” he said.
From the statement which was released by the Executive Director of Great Zimbabwe Hydropower Plant Memory Mashingaidze on November 12, said that the operations at the power station commenced after two complete years.
“The much anticipated Great Zimbabwe Hydro Power Plant, located at the heart of Masvingo has officially commenced operations, marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwean’s efforts to bolster its renewable energy sector and address growing electricity demands,” said Mashingaidze.
She said the power plant was going to play a pivotal role in enhancing Zimbabwean’s energy security as well as driving sustainable development.
“The project is the first of its own kind in Zimbabwe to be built adjacent to an existing Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) dam, blending modern hydroelectric technology with an established water infrastructure which leads the plant to play a critical role in enhancing the country’s energy security and driving sustainable development,” reads the statement.
She thanked stakeholders whom they were working with from the commencement of the project until completion.
“I am delighted to see Great Zimbabwe Hydropower Project commissioned and begin contributing to Zimbabwe’s electricity generation. I thank our stakeholders, contractors, advisors, project managers, and all those who have supported this project both directly and indirectly over the last couple of years in constructing this landmark project,” said Mashingaidze.
