- Zimbabwe’s Energy Minister, Fortune Chasi yesterday took to twitter to confirm a US 10 million (R139 million) proof of payment made to South Africa’s power utility, Eskom.
- Last week Eskom confirmed that no funds have reflected on its accounts for Zimbabwe’s outstanding debt as at 28 June at 15h00.
- Chasi originally announced that he paid Eskom US 10 million two weeks ago but yesterday doubled backed and apologised for lying.
The decision to pay follows Zimbabwe’s state power company, ZESA meeting with Eskom earlier last month over a total debt outstanding of around US 33 million (R480 million). Eskom reduced power exports to Zimbabwe from 450MW to just 50MW pending payment. Zimbabwe has not paid Eskom for power imports since October 2018.
Eskom has confirmed that the payment made by Zimbabwe is reflecting in its account today. Discussions will continue with the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to find a mutually beneficial solution to the outstanding debt. Eskom is a commercial operation and will be guided by the contracts we have in place with ZESA.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission & Distribution Company (ZETDC) implemented a wide scale load shedding programme last month plunging the country into darkness. The country has been forced to cut power generation at their Kariba Dam power plant due to low water levels. The dam, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, is only 34% full and cannot generate electricity at optimal capacity. The utility is also facing generation constraints at Hwange Power Station
Related news: Zimbabwe’s head of Energy and Power Development, Minister Fortune Chasi also recently fired the entire ZESA Board Friday amid the load shedding crisis the country faces. Read more
More related news: The Minister also recently announced that he is contemplating cancelling over 30 Independent Power Producer contracts because the projects have never materialised. Read more
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
