Zimbabwe acquires US $6.5m electricity transformers

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ZESA Holdings in Zimbabwe has acquired electricity transformers worth US $6.5m in a development that will ensure reliable supplies of electricity in the Matabeleland and Midlands Provinces.

The transformers, will be at Chertsey and Marvel substations. They were secured under ZimFund, a facility that pools material and financial resources through donor community to uplift the socio-economic facilities and amenities in Zimbabwe.

According to spokesperson Fullard Gwasira, the 90MVA transformers, will be a huge relief to institutions like hospitals, clinics, academic centres as well as consumers in general that have been facing frequent supply interruption due to lack of adequate capacity of the existing transformers.

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“The transformers will go a long way to ensure that a population of about two million people has adequate supply of electricity,” he said. Mr Gwasira further added that the new transformers would also ensure water treatment plants and pumps, sewage reticulation and other related social amenities operate efficiently.

Reliable power supply
On the other hand, the installation of the 175 MVA transformer at Marvel substation, will ensure reliable power supplies to over two million consumers in Bulwayo and Matabeleland South and North Provinces.
The oldest transformer at the substation, now 51 years has outlived its expected lifespan of 25 years, Mr Gwasira said. Bulawayo and its surrounding areas are of great importance as they are in the zone of Zimbabwe’s second largest city.
In its continued footprint of improving the supply of electricity through transmission and distribution network rehabilitation, ZimFund has availed financial resources for the installation of a 50 MVA transformer at Norton substation, a 20 MVA transformer at the Mpopoma and Criterion substations; rehabilitation of the Seke sewer system and the installation of electricity breakers at 14 Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company site countrywide