It has been reported that Zimbabwe will continue to supply Namibia with electricity from the Hwange thermal power plant despite the ending of the countries’ previous deal. The $40 million agreement signed between Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) and Namibia’s NamPower was struck in 2009, but since Zimbabwe has failed to meet its obligation, it will continue supplying electricity to its neighbor.
It is shocking that a country that cannot meet its own local demand is exporting energy, and yet still requires mining companies to pay for energy imported from Mozambique. Zesa generates around 900 MW to 1.2 GW, but the electricity demand in Zimbabwe runs around 1.9 GW to 2.2 GW with an expected 29% increase this year.
Zimbabwe’s energy and power development minister Elton Mangoma said Zimbabwe, which is battling a serious power deficit, will continue to export electricity to Namibia. “According to the principal agreement, Zimbabwe would supply power until 2014. However, there is a clause which indicates that if the power that we would have provided by the end of the contract does not tally with the agreement, we would go beyond the expiry date in supplying power.”
Zesa also faces increased pressure from outstanding or overdue payments from customers – including the country’s president. Damaging bills were leaked that show president Robert Mugabe and family owes the power utility around $345,000 for unpaid power bills.
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