Nampower to finance Zim energy projects

By The Southern Eye | Oct. 28, 2013

NAMIBIA power utility firm Nampower is expected to invest nearly $180 million to finance expansion projects at Harare and Bulawayo thermal power stations.

Bernard Mpofu Acting Business EDITOR

According to the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a unit of State-owned power company, Zesa, Nampower has expressed keen interest in increasing generation capacity of the two power stations to 120 megawatts (MW) as the country continues to grapple with power outages.

“The Namibian Power generation unit, Nampower has once again shown interest in partnering with Zimbabwe to improve the local power situation. In August this year, a delegation from Namibia visited Zimbabwe Power Company and expressed their interest in funding the Harare and Bulawayo projects,” ZPC said.

“It will take about 24 months to complete. Harare Power Station will have a firm capacity of 120MW from the current 50MW, while Bulawayo’s firm capacity will increase from 30MW to 90MW.”

The repowering project will see the replacement of the current boiler technology with circulating fluidised bed which is more efficient and cost effective.

“Harare power station is strategically located to supply power directly to industry in Harare and of late its dependable capacity had declined due to problems on the machines. This meant a gap had emerged thereby creating a deficit of power in the nation. The coming in of TA/2 with 30MW will help to reduce the power deficit currently affecting the nation and will ensure a dependable capacity to industries in Harare,” ZPC managing director Noah Gwariro said.

Nampower is a strategic partner to Zimbabwe and in 2007 funded the $40 million refurbishment of Hwange Power Station.