The five-megawatt Mutirikwi mini-Hydro power plant in Masvingo, completed late last year, is now fully operational, providing a significant boost to the national grid’s electricity supply.
Harnessing the abundant water resources from the Mutirikwi River, the facility is generating electricity that is being fed into the national grid.
Honourable Ezra Chadzamira, Masvingo’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, highlighted the importance of the project, stating, “Masvingo was receiving two megawatts of electricity from the national grid, but due to the devolution policy requiring local use of generated power, we now have an additional five megawatts. This marks the end of load shedding in Masvingo town. Essential institutions, including hospitals and the water supply pump station, now benefit from a reliable electricity supply.”
Site manager Mr. Austin Boora stated that since becoming operational in November, the Mini Hydro Power Plant has become a vital asset for addressing Zimbabwe’s energy needs.
“We reached the commercial operation stage on November 9, meaning we began supplying power to the national grid. We are now operating at 100 percent capacity, 24/7, and generating five megawatts. In fact, we are exceeding this capacity at times.”
The plant produces approximately 120 megawatt hours of energy daily, enough to supply about 3,000 households. Engineer Justice Jangano, the plant manager, noted, “While our rated power is five megawatts, the actual energy supplied over 24 hours is 120 megawatt hours.”
The Mutirikwi Mini Hydro Power Station is not only addressing energy shortages in Zimbabwe but also ensuring the continuation of irrigation pumping from the lake.
