Story by John Nhandara
HWANGE thermal power station unit seven which will add 300 megawatts to the national grid is expected to be commissioned as soon as the current synchronisation of the whole system is completed.
A team of technicians from China is in the country to finalise the synchronisation process of Hwange Thermal Power station Unit 7.
Energy and Power Development Minister, Honourable Soda Zhemu who addressed the media soon after appointing a new board for Petro Trade in Harare this Monday, said Hwange Unit 7 is now 99 percent complete while unit eight will also be completed by June this year.
‘‘Most of the systems at Hwange unit seven have undergone and passed the commissioning test. We have achieved certain revolutionaries of our turbines is 3 000 revolutions per minute. We are now left with the synchronisation of the whole system. Last week we had our technicians from China arrive to also conclude the synchronisation. So we are at 99 percent complete and we expect to commission the unit anytime from now.’’
Minister Zhemu also took the opportunity to announce that the country has set a target to produce 1100 megawatts of electricity through renewable sources.
He also disclosed that the expansion of storage facilities for ethanol will help the country achieve constant blending levels throughout the year.
‘‘The recently promulgated policies on renewable energy and biofuels of 2019 are in sync with the trust of the ministry to give guidance on production, procurement and use of clean energy in the country. During NDS1, the nation envisages producing 1 100megawats of electricity through renewables. The expansion of the storage facilities for ethanol used for blending unleaded petrol from 5,3 million litres will help to achieve constant blending levels.’’
The newly appointed Petro Trade board is chaired by Mr Michael Dodo, while other board members include Ms Edith Jaravani, Colonel (Rtd) Morgan Mudzinganyama, Mr Partson Chikudza and Mr Eleph Gula Ndebele.
