Alternative energy sources sought
Lloyd Gumbo Senior Reporter
Government is looking at alternative sources of electricity as a short-term measure to alleviate power shortages affecting the country at the moment, Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa said yesterday.
He made the remarks in the National Assembly during a questions without notice session.
Acting President Mnangagwa said the Government was, however, not putting all its eggs in one basket as a number of long-term intervention mechanisms had also been put in place.
Zimbabwe is experiencing acute power shortages due to reduced generation at Kariba Hydro Power station after water levels reduced drastically.
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Hwange Thermal Power Station is also not operating at full capacity since its old equipment is incessantly under repair.
“We have looked at alternative ways to generate electricity. For instance, we have programmes in the country for generation of electricity in the industries and homes,” said Acting President Mnangagwa.
“As Government, we are aware that we have programmes in the country to generate electricity in our industries and in our homes. We know it takes a minimum 18 months to four years to construct a thermal power station, which will generate enough electricity.
“But, we are also saying as Zimbabwe, we have enough sunshine, we can therefore utilise the solar energy and as a country we are making plans to construct solar power stations.”
The State Procurement Board is currently seized with the tenders for three solar plants that would generate 300 megawatts on completion.
Acting President Mnangagwa said there were plans to have several companies to construct thermal power stations as a long-term measure.
He also said Government was committed to alignment of existing laws to the Constitution.
He said the General Laws Amendment Bill that was currently before Parliament, would have clauses that deal with electoral issues.
Meanwhile, MDC-T MPs complained when Energy and Power Development Minister Samuel Undenge walked out of the house as soon as the questions without notice session started.
The MPs raised several points of order requesting that Minister Undenge be brought back to answer their questions.
But it was to no avail leading to the questions being directed to Acting President Mnangagwa who is the leader of Government business in Parliament.
Ministers are constitutionally obligated to attend the session to allow backbenchers to ask policy-related questions concerning ministries and departments under their ambit.
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