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Zim's electricity woes to worsen
Mail & Guardian (SA)
July 24, 2006

http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=278532&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__business/

Power cuts that have plunged most parts of Zimbabwe into darkness could worsen during the next few weeks following electricity supply interruptions from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from where Zesa Holdings imports 100 megawatts (MW), the state-owned Herald newspaper said on Monday.

The power utility has an electricity import contract with Snel of the DRC, which runs until the end of next month. The most affected customers were domestic and residential consumers, the newspaper said.

Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Company managing director Edward Rugoyi said the power interruption was a result of "vandalism of transmission infrastructure in the Kisangani area in DRC", which transports electricity to Zimbabwe via Zambia.

"Already, regular power cuts being experienced across Zimbabwe have resulted in most families resorting to using alternative forms of energy to cushion themselves against prevailing power outages," the Herald added.

Some families have since bought generators and solar panels, while other forms of energy for household use like gas and firewood have become common and cheaper alternatives in most high density areas.

Sawdust and wood shavings have also become cheaper sources of energy for households in Kuwadzana and Epworth where families spend hours queuing at companies that manufacture wood accessories to collect the shavings, the Herald said.

The country was facing power shortages with Zesa Holdings currently weighed down by a 600MW deficit.

"Zimbabwe's neighbours, particularly South Africa, were also facing supply constraints due to a surge in demand this season," the paper said.

"This has really affected us since we get 100MW from the DRC," Rugoyi said.

Zesa also imports 200MW from Mozambique and up to 450MW and 300MW from South Africa and Zambia respectively.

He said supplies could be restored "probably in the next two to three weeks but only if the vandalised equipment was replaced".

A survey by the Herald revealed that power cuts were worsening in Harare.

Residents said the situation was deteriorating "by each passing day".

A bundle of firewood enough to prepare a single meal, now costs between ZIM$150 000 ($1,40) and $250 000 ($2,40).

Paraffin, which is another alternative source, has also gone up with a 750ml bottle now costing about Zim$500 000 ($4,94).

"Once predominant in the rural areas, solar power usage has become a cheaper and reliable form of energy for urbanites, while others were investing in generators, though costly," the newspaper said.

The monthly cost of using a generator with an average of a 24-hour power cut in a month would be $14-million [$138], "which is much more expensive than using electricity", the Herald noted.

Apart from the recent interruption, operational constraints were also weighing down Zesa's capacity.

Kariba hydroelectricity power station has become the only reliable source of power and was producing 720MW. Erratic coal supplies and ageing equipment have adversely affected the power generating capacity of Hwange power station with only two units currently operating, the newspaper added.

A few weeks ago the station was producing less than 90MW and production patterns have become inconsistent.

Although Zesa was facing operational challenges linked to unavailability of foreign currency, Rugoyi said the pricing structure for Zesa had not been economical and there would be little reason for customers to receive quality service.

"Since 2003, all our customers have been on tariff holiday and this has hamstrung the company's capacity," he said.

Zimbabwe's electricity was" the cheapest in the region", if not the whole of Africa, where a bunch of firewood was much more expensive than a household's monthly electricity bill, the paper said.

The country was overburdened by costs on electricity imports (about 35%) which exerted pressure on Zesa margins that were already overstretched by weak and high input costs.

Zesa last week increased tariffs by 55% to cover the recent coal price increases but would have little or no significance when it comes to boosting Zesa coffers.

Currently, the company was generating Zim$1,2-trillion in revenue per month while the monthly import bill stood at Zim$800-billion.

This means that from its internally generated revenue, the power utility was left with $400-billion for other overheads "which was not enough", the newspaper said.

Botswana and Mozambique were also facing power shortages.

Zimbabwe was working "tirelessly" to address power shortages by embarking on joint ventures with countries such as China. – I-Net Bridge

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