Hwange Units 1-6 Rehabilitation to Double Output to Over 700MW

Power generation at Hwange Thermal Power Station’s ageing Units 1 to 6 is expected to rise from the current 300 megawatts to more than 700 megawatts following a long-awaited rehabilitation programme. The six units, commissioned in 1984, have operated beyond their typical 25 to 30-year lifespan and suffered from deferred major maintenance as the plant could not be shut down while supplying the national grid. The US$450 million project will be undertaken in partnership with investor Jindal. Station management said the rehabilitation will significantly strengthen Zimbabwe’s power supply and complement output from Units 7 and 8.

Power generation at Hwange Thermal Power Station’s Units 1 to 6 is expected to rise to more than 700 megawatts once a long-awaited rehabilitation programme of the ageing equipment is completed.   Follow us on our WhatsApp Channel

The six units, commissioned in 1984, were the backbone of Zimbabwe’s electricity supply before the addition of Units 7 and 8. However, after more than four decades of service — beyond the typical 25 to 30-year lifespan of a thermal power plant — the units are now operating well below capacity.

Currently, Units 1 to 6 are generating about 300 megawatts against an installed capacity of over 700 megawatts, largely due to ageing infrastructure and deferred major maintenance.

Hwange Power Station Maintenance Manager, Engineer Tonderai Machiwana, said the plant’s performance has been affected by both age-related challenges and limited opportunities for comprehensive servicing.

“Basically we have got age-related issues, but over and above that, in the past decade the plant suffered due to lack of major maintenance as it was the major station that was supplying electricity. We could not afford to shut it down completely and service it as consistently as we were supposed to,” he said.

The rehabilitation project will be undertaken in partnership with investor Jindal, which has signed on to support the overhaul of the units.

Hwange Power Station General Manager, Engineer Shepherd Mukundu, expressed optimism about the development.

“There is rehabilitation which has been on the horizon for some time. We are quite excited that it’s now finally arriving. We are happy that it was signed by Jindal. We will be working with them for the rehabilitation. We are going to be working with them, bringing in about US$450 million of investment.”

The restoration of full capacity at Units 1 to 6 is expected to significantly strengthen Zimbabwe’s power supply, complementing output from Units 7 and 8 and supporting key sectors of the economy.

Source -ZBC NEWS