CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE,ZIMBABWE : ZESA, SNEL sign deal to import 100 MW electricity from democratic Republic of Congo.

Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), Zimbabwe's power utility, and DRC power firm SNEL have signed a deal to import 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the democratic Republic of Congo. The deal was signed with an aim to ease the power shortages in the country.

The power utility stated, ZESA holdings are pleased to advise that it has managed to secure an additional 100 megawatts of power from SNEL of the Democratic Republic of the Congo effective March 1, 2011.

On a firm basis, 50 megawatts of the power will be supplied. This means, it will be supplied on a continuous basis. The remaining 50 MW will be supplied on a non-firm basis. In other words, power will be supplied as and when available.

Zimbabwe's power utility has been struggling to meet the country's electricity needs. Frequently, the firm resorts to cutting supplies to some areas for up to 10 or 12 hours in a desperate measure to conserve scarce electricity. ZESA has attributed the erratic power supplies to ageing equipment at major plants and low tariffs. Over the past three decades, the government has not invested in new electricity generation and transmission equipment.

At present, ZESA is producing 1,300 megawatts against a demand of 2,100 megawatts.

2011 Al Bawaba (Albawaba.com)

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