By Chipo Gudhe

A state-of-the-art 70 megawatt thermal power station under construction at Global Union Alloy, Kwekwe is set to ease power shortages and boost industrial growth in Midlands Province, a senior government official has said.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, whilst touring the plant under construction yesterday said the project marks a major shift in Zimbabwe’s energy strategy, with large-scale industrial investments now required to generate their own power.

“We are witnessing a deliberate policy where any large industrial project coming into the provinces must be accompanied by a power station,” said Eng Muguti.

He described the plant being developed by the ferrochrome producer as one of the most efficient in the country, noting that it uses advanced technology that significantly reduces water consumption.

“This is Zimbabwe’s first most efficient technology being built, a power station which uses up to 90 percent less water than conventional plants. So instead of using about 2000 metric litres of water every single day, they are now only using 200 megalitres of water. So where we are, we are finding ourselves in a very good space where energy is not only going to be sourced from Hwange,” he said.

The plant will be powered by coal transported from Sengwa, Gokwe and forms part of a broader decentralisation drive aimed at reducing reliance on Hwange Power Station.

“With this devolved approach, energy will no longer be sourced from one centre. Provinces must unlock their own resources to sustain industrialisation,” Eng Muguti said.

Eng Muguti said supporting infrastructure is being developed alongside the project, including a water supply system linked to Sebakwe Dam.

“A four-kilometre pipeline from Sebakwe Dam will be constructed to support the plant, while the dam itself will meet only a fraction of the water requirements due to the efficiency of the technology,” he said.

He added that the initiative could eliminate power outages in Kwekwe and surrounding areas within the next 12 to 14 months.

“As it stands, we are confident that in the near future there will be no power cuts in Kwekwe and the entire district,” he said.

Global Union Alloy manager Kudakwashe Chitakure said the company is nearing completion of its ferrochrome production facilities, which the power plant will support.

“We have constructed five furnaces and we are about 95 percent complete. Each furnace will produce 30 tonnes of high carbon ferrochrome per day,” said Chitakure.

The company currently employs 180 workers and sources raw materials from local miners in areas such as Shurugwi and Mapanzure, contributing to the local value chain.

The development is expected to enhance Zimbabwe’s ferrochrome output while reinforcing government’s push for value addition and beneficiation of mineral resources.