Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion on course
The US$1,2 billion expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station Units 7 and 8 is on schedule, with 10 percent of the power plant having been completed despite challenges in accessing foreign currency and price distortions.
Sinohydro chief representative in Zimbabwe Mr Yifeng Wu said the project has so far created 400 direct jobs for locals, with the figure expected to hit 3 000 next year.
The project — which will add 600 megawatts to the national grid — is one the key economic enablers that will advance President Mnangagwa’s vision of turning Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
The contractor, Sinohydro, expects to have completed construction in 42 months.
“The project is now being implemented well and is on schedule. The first pouring of concrete for the main power house officially started on February 29, 2019.”
Mr Yifeng said as the contractors, they were working closely with ZPC to review and approve the project designs and construction drawings.
“Most of the designs have been finalised,” Mr Yifeng said.
Mr Yifeng said the project would create 1 000 jobs before the end of the year.
“The project is on course and at the project site, there are around 400 direct local jobs which were provided and it will amount to 1 000 by the end of this year,” he said.
“In the next year, the number of local employees will be increased to 3 000 or even more. Hundreds of people have also been employed indirectly through various activities.”
Works on the project began in August last year using an initial $199 million from China Eximbank._The Herald