ZESA spokesperson, Mr Fullard Gwasira, said that power cuts in the country are now at what the power utility calls “Stage 2”. He made the revelation several days ago.
Whilst Stage 1 entails about eight-hour-long power cuts, stage 2 is characterised by about 16 to 17 hours of power unavailability.
Posting on microblogging site, Twitter, Gwasira said:
Load-shedding is at Stage 2. The small Stage 1 generators, whilst online, are producing very little and a major Stage 2 unit gone out for repairs.
Shedding has increased phenomenally.
These remarks follow promises by the power utility, ZESA, that securing 400 megawatts from South Africa power utility, ESKOM was going to minimise power cuts.
For a few days following the power deal between Zimbabwe and South Africa, electricity was available for longer hours than before the deal was consummated.
After those few days, the nation was back to normal days, without power. Energy minister, Fortune Chasi attributed the quick return to prolonged load-shedding to malfunctioning local thermal power stations.
Meanwhile, writing on microblogging site, Twitter, on Friday, Chasi said that a Unit at Hwange Power Station is now online and this is expected to ease power cuts. He wrote:
ENERGY UPDATE: UNIT 4 Hwange Firing started @1522Hrs yesterday. It was Targeted to kick in at 2130Hrs last night. As a result, we are Expecting an 80MW boost this morning to ease load shedding. Good morning to you all.