The World Bank estimates that power shortages cost Zimbabwe 6.1% of GDP per year. The same bank says GDP was US$26.54 billion in 2023 and so we can put a figure to how much these power shortages are costing us.
We are losing US$1.6 billion a year because of constant power shortages that ZESA seems incapable of solving. Mthuli Nucube says that we should expect a substantial growth in electricity generation but significant power shortages should persist until 2030.
That means if we assume our GDP won’t increase until 2030, we will lose close to US$10 because of power shortages. With that in mind, does it make sense to only allocate less than US$9 million to the Ministry of Energy to solve this problem as Mthuli did? I don’t know.
Anyway, we have talked about some of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) that are working on projects that should help alleviate the problem:
- Zim could meet 50% of electricity demand using solar by 2025, says govt. From which projects?
- More companies apply to generate/ procure electricity. ZESA monopoly over?
We would love to see those projects succeed but we also want to see ZESA itself get its act together. These small IPPs will help but ZESA has the capacity to make a huge difference quickly as Hwange’s Units 7 and 8 showed us.
The Hwange Units 7 and 8 Expansion Project added 600MW of capacity and as bad as it is today, one shudders to think where we would be if those units were not live.
The government seems to be doubling down on this. The green army be damned, Zimbabwe is sinking its teeth into coal power.
Upgrade of older Hwange units begins
We have talked about Units 7 and 8 so many times that some were not sure if Units 1 to 6 existed. They exist and they are so old and unreliable that it’s as good as we don’t have any.
We have finally decided to do something about those troublesome Units. Hwange Thermal Power Station is set for an upgrade.
India’s Jindal Steel and Power Company is set to upgrade and modernize the six units. The project aims to boost the those units’ capacity from 300 MW to over 800 MW and extend their lifespan by 15 to 20 years, enhancing the daily output to nearly 1,500 MW. It becomes 1500MW when we factor in Units 7 and 8’s 600MW.
The project will replace outdated turbines, generators, and other components with modern technologies. It will also include introducing advanced control systems which should help improve efficiency.
The projected timeline:
Preparation Phase (Current – Q4 2024):
- Jindal Steel and Power Company finalizes assessments of the scope of work.
- Contract signing expected before the end of 2024.
Project Start (Q1 2025):
- Modernization of units begins.
- Work on the first unit commences, focusing on replacing turbines, generators, and upgrading control systems.
Unit 5 Refurbishment (Ongoing – August 2025):
- Unit 5 already under refurbishment using internal resources and local financing.
- Scheduled completion: August 2025.
Implementation Timeline (36-48 Months from Q1 2025):
- Modernization of remaining units proceeds in phases.
- Work on each unit is staggered to maintain some level of power generation during refurbishment.
Expected Completion (2028 – 2029):
- Full project completion anticipated within 3 to 4 years of commencement.
- Output increased from 300 MW to over 800 MW, with a daily target of 1,500 MW across all units.
Post-Completion Enhancements:
- Optimized operations and improved efficiency with advanced control systems.
- Extended lifespan of units by 15-20 years.
This would be even bigger than the numbers suggest. On paper, it sounds like we’re only talking about a 500MW increase in capacity for Units 1 to 6. The 500MW is huge but we would be getting more than that.
Units 1 to 6 are so unreliable that today we don’t get anything close to the 300MW capacity they have. The Sunday Mail quoted a senior ZESA official saying:
The units are old and they can no longer produce 300MW from an installed capacity of 920MW. They are no longer functioning at optimum capacity.
So, if this upgrade leads to them being reliable we would getting nigh on 800MW because we weren’t getting the 300MW reliably. So, this is a big deal.
The relative success of the Hwange Expansion Project which gave us Units 7 and 8 has me excited for this upgrade. I hope this time around we are able to meet deadlines unlike it was was with Units 7 and 8 which were completed years late.
Green energy?
We are going to get some push back for committing to coal like this but Zimbos, pay no mind to the critics on this one. Would it have been great if we could lean on green energy sources? – Of course, but we don’t have the luxury at the moment.
We have a crumbling economy losing billions a year to power shortages. Let’s stop the bleeding and then consider green energy going forward, you know, once we’re on our feet. It’s not like those who would condemn us for going down the coal route are lining up to solve our power challenges.
We relied on green Kariba hydro power for years but changes in rain patterns up north have crippled the power station. So, I guess you could say that it’s ironic that we are addressing the consequences of climate change (reduced hydro output) by utilizing a method (coal power) that further intensifies the root cause.
It has to be this way, unfortunately. I agree with those that say our immediate energy need outweighs long-term environmental concerns.
What happened to Gwanda solar project?
Serious strides have been made with solar power generation. So much so that with all the sunshine 🌞 available in Africa 🌍, no African country should be energy insufficient. We should all either be transitioning to, or have transitioned to solar power by now, and no one should be importing electricity from anyone. We really shouldn’t still be talking about whether water levels in Kariba are sufficient enough to generate electricity. It is an aging power station that also requires renovation and upgrading. And at best, it has a capacity of just 1050 megawatts. I’m not even going to get into the perpetually ailing dinosaur Hwange, that is just a remnant of when infrastructure was managed properly by the Rhodesians, in by gone days.
At best Hwange can only generate 1520 megawatts. Which is nothing to write home about, when we speak of solar farms like the 5 gigawatt Xinjiang solar farm owned by our so called “all whether friends” China 🇨🇳. As well as other behemoths like the 2.8 gigawatt Golmud Solar Park, again located in China 🇨🇳, India’s 🇮🇳 2.5 gigawatt Bhadla Solar Park, as well as the UAE’s 🇦🇪 2.62 gigawatt Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
Some experts put Zimbabwe’s 🇿🇼 lithium reserves at as much as 42 million tonnes. More than enough for us to manufacture our own lithium batteries, set up our own solar farms, and export the excess batteries to the whole world! We really should also be manufacturing our own world class solar panels by now. This is not complicated technology, and setting up such factories 🏭 will greatly reduce the high levels of unemployment that are crippling the country.
The future is here, the future is now, no better time than now! Action now please!!!!!
Sorry for being off topic. I just need help. I finished my A levels this year. I’m not sure what to do next year, I’d like to study abroad. I was doing Math, Physics and Chemistry. Honestly looking for a scholarship and advice on what to do and where to go. Zim just seems so terrible considering the unemployment
Dear A Level student. Your combination at A Level is not a rule, it’s just a guideline. Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 is not terrible, some people live world class lives here, even without being called rich. You just have to figure out something.
My advice go to Blackforby Agricultural College. Learn how to farm Tobacco. Work on someone’s farm to get some experience then go it alone.If your family is lucky enough to have land somewhere use it. Tobacco also has contracts, so capital is not an issue but your imagination and drive.
Tobacco potential:
Average tonnage per hectare 3000
Average auction price $4
Estimated returns per hectare $12,000
If you can find 10 hectares, you won’t need to study abroad, you will visit any country you wish, then come back home.
Electricity makes the modern world go round⚡. How we got here is not a concern to me. How we extricate ourselves is what keeps me up at night.🔦
These are big capital projects, that require huge amounts upfront, and have an insanely long payback period, so you need patient investors who see value and the growth potential.
If I could have any say in the matter, this was the top priority in our budget, so we cannot really blame ZESA if they are underfunded. I heard a nuclear expert on radio the other time talking about Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs). Let me add my two cents.
To build our first Small Modular reactor of 500MW we need to collaborate with other nations that already possess the technology. However, in constructing the shell 🐚 of the reactor we can do it ourselves, it’s just a building with a giant hole to insert a fission or fusion reactor and power lines and transformers. We have architects and surveyors, engineering companies (Deven hello), construction companies, ZERA, ZETDC, ZPC and the Mutapa Investment Fund. We could start this project today if we wished, feasibility study if you wish, financing plan if you wish….
Then we go to our friends who have SMRs 🇷🇺🇨🇳🇿🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦🇮🇳, then we ask who can provide us with reactor technology and at what cost, we are good for it, or we could look for a creative way to work together with a win win.
Then we look at raising finance for this public listed company on the Stock Exchange that has potential to eventually export power into the SADC region that has a power deficit, we do not mind being paid in African currencies or foreign currencies, we have an RBZ than can look to see how to find value in a vault littered with different currencies💴💵💶💷, actually it would be better to charge in our local currency to create demand for it, whatever works better. Listing on the Stock Exchange also helps us look at the books annually to see if we are on track.
Locals can buy shares an an entity they have vested interest, those in the diaspora can buy shares (there is group from South Africa that wanted to do trains,these guys have 💰), and finally those international investors we like so much can also buy shares, but I would put my money on the locals and diasporans coming to the party first.🇿🇼
It just takes the stroke of a pen, some imagination and some actual work.🙏
Water pun of the day. MYST is flooding the comments.💦😘
1. Introduction
NUWARDTM is being developed as a Generation III+ SMR NPP to generate a total net electrical power
of 340 MW(e) from two independent reactor modules to offer flexible operation. It is an integral-PWR that
fully integrates the main components of the Nuclear Steam Supply System (NSSS) including control rod drive
mechanism, steam generators and pressurizer within the Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV). Adopting shortened RPV, the NSSS is installed in a steel containment submerged in the underground water wall allowing for enhanced in-factory manufacturing. NUWARDTM specific design includes the management of all Design Basis Conditions (DBC) through passive systems without the need for any external classified electrical power supply and is self-reliant on an internal ultimate heat sink (the water wall) for a coping time of more than 3 days.
2. Target Application
The design enables easy integration in any electrical grid, as replacement of fossil-fuel fired power plant or as
a complement to renewable capacities. NUWARDTM offers baseload or load-following capacities. To account for seasonal variations, the concept of a set of reactors inside the same plant provides the operator with a range
of solutions to adapt the maintenance schedule with priority given to the grid supply needs. There is always at least one reactor of the plant in-operation and supplying the grid, whereas the other one may be in outage.
3. Main Design Features
Design Philosophy
The NUWARDTM realizes design simplification by integrating the primary cooling system and enhanced safety by means of passive safety systems.
Nuclear Steam Supply System
The NUWARDTM reactor is a fully integrated PWR reactor,
housing in one unique vessel all the main reactor coolant system components, including the Steam Generators, the Pressurizer and the Control Rod Drive Mechanisms (CRDM).
Reactor Core
The reference core is based on proven 17×17 fuel assemblies
used in the operating PWR with a shortened core height and
UO2 rods (enrichment < 5wt% U235). Due to the boron-free design, various U235 enrichments and burnable poisons are used. The reference refuelling interval is 24 months.
Reactivity Control
The reactivity is controlled by means of control rods and solid
burnable poison. The reactor boron-free reactivity control
allows for simplification of auxiliary systems design and
operations in both normal and accident situations (Design
Basis Conditions) as well as a drastic reduction in effluents
production from operation.
Reactor Pressure Vessel and Internals
The RPV and equipment layout are designed to facilitate enhanced in-factory manufacturing. A specific design effort has been made to reduce the number of pipes connected to the RPV with the objective to limit the maximum LOCA size to a 30 mm in diameter.
Reactor Coolant System and Steam Generator
NUWARDTM reactor coolant system is based upon the use of an innovative once-through steam generator technology derived from the plate heat exchanger concept for which specific developments made in terms of design and manufacturing process allow for a nuclear application. This technology offers a Compact Steam
Generator (CSG) with a direct connection to the reactor. The overall size, and particularly the height of the
reactor coolant system is therefore significantly reduced given the reactor thermal power.
There are six (6) compact steam generators (CSG).
Pressuriser
The pressurizer of NUWARDTM is also integrated within the RPV. The large volume of the pressurizer
provides margins for the operational transients as well as for the normal operation of the reactor.
Primary Pumps Six (6) canned pumps are horizontally mounted onto the RPV, positioned under the SGs in the cold leg for efficient hydraulic conditions.
4. Safety Features
Engineered Safety System Approach and Configuration
The NUWARDTM reactor and associated safety systems are designed for:
– Passive management of all DBC scenarios with no need of any operator’s action, any external ultimate heat sink source, any boron injection or any external electrical power supply (normal and emergency) for more
than 3 days.
– Active management of DEC-A accidents, with simple diagnosis and implementation of diversified systems. – Passive management of DEC-B accidents with in-vessel retention of the corium (IVR concept).
The safety approach for NUWARDTM benefits from the following inherent features of the design to satisfy and
maintain a safe state that requires minimum intervention from the operating team: – Large reactor coolant inventory in kg/MW(t), providing inertia versus power transients.
– Boron-free operation providing large and constant moderator counter-reaction and preventing boron
dilution. – Integrated RCS architecture reducing the maximum LOCA break size thus providing more time for coping with the design basis LOCA. Internal CRDMs preventing rod-ejection accidents.
– A metallic submerged containment providing passive cooling for several days. – A small core in a large vessel enabling the success of the in-vessel retention strategy for DEC-B accidents.
The feasibility study for a wind farm off the coast of Mozambique has already been done, I have read it.
The risk is acceptable.
Southern African Power Pool on Golden Stairs, wah gwaan.
The best new science fiction books of 2024
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435190-400-the-best-new-science-fiction-books-of-2024/?utm_campaign=RSS%7
And the award goes tooo…………Gifted Season 1, from Zimbabwe.🇿🇼🎉
Makorokoto!
President elect Mr. Trump didn’t you attend West Point sir?
People probably didn’t know that side of you.
I didn’t attend West Point sir.
Congratulations. Makorokoto!🎉
Heatwaves are surpassing the extremes predicted by climate models
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2458421-heatwaves-are-surpassing-the-extremes-predicted-by-climate-models/?utm_c
Here is a thought. Should be planet be warmer or cooler. Melting glaciers provide more water, but people at the coast are most affected. Small Modular Reactors can desalinate sea water, and we can turn a desert into an Oasis like how Israel pumps water into the Jordan. A warm climate, pluss lots of water creates rain forest there in turn creating more oxygen for our bulging population. We should be getting to 10 billion by now, all need water, all need oxygen and all need Rain Forests. 🌍🌏🌎♻️🌐
Frank Herbert, than you for Dune. Godfather of science fiction. Then I was thinking some of the best CGI and special effects comes from Warner Brothers, another please.👾
Swarms of cyborg cockroaches could be manufactured by robots
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2458397-swarms-of-cyborg-cockroaches-could-be-manufactured-by-robots/?utm_campa
Science fact…kkkk
Year in restropect. There have been many highs and no lows😘
Social media algorithms can change your views in just a single day
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2458226-social-media-algorithms-can-change-your-views-in-just-a-single-day/?utm_ca
Gamestop henyu😅
Deceptacons Assembly.
I don’t want to be Optimus Prime, but I don’t want to transformed into a little gun either.
I want to be the T-Rex from Beast Wars, CGI.
ZBC ku Pockets Hill, Highlands wa gwaan. Whose betting on the races? It’s just across the road.😅 Inini I stopped betting. I want to go on a road trip with Chawa. 4×4 yesaya. NemaBabe. Bring two more friends.⛽
I said I wanted to go to support. And they said you cannot choose to go to support, you told, after pass out parade. Zvirisei varume pa Chenyika apa, Kwekwe river. Bob Swift. Fox Troop. Eagle Troop. I’m now in Forensics lads, ndosaka ndaka zii zii kudai.
AI can analyse a decomposing body to help pinpoint the time of deathhttps://www.newscientist.com/article/2457953-ai-can-analyse-a-decomposing-body-to-help-pinpoint-the-time-of-death/?utm_campa
Why surrounding your plants with crushed eggshells won’t deter slugs
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435190-700-why-surrounding-your-plants-with-crushed-eggshells-wont-deter-slugs
Insect WhatsApp group what’s the group link again? Don’t send it to my email. I know where to find it.
Josh Brolin Says That if Denis Villeneuve Doesn’t Get Nominated For DUNE 2 He’ll Quit Acting
https://geektyrant.com/news/josh-brolin-says-that-if-denis-villeneuve-doesnt-get-nominated-for-dune-2-hell-quit-acting
What Is the Machine War They Keep Mentioning in ‘Dune Prophecy’?
https://collider.com/dune-prophecy-machine-war-butlerian-jihad/
Apple reveals how Aardman shot its festive animation on an iPhone
https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-aardman-collab/
Apple products are incredible work tools, that’s why they are so expensive.
What do you use your iPhone investment for?
NFL Week 13 Roundup: Barkley leads Eagles past Ravens
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/article/nfl-week-13-roundup-vikings-rally-past-cardinals-to-extend-win-streak/
Does this mean we are out of the playoffs because the Buffalo Bills won their division? and the Eagles trade with the Giants?
Manchester United ‘keen to re-sign Angel Gomes on a FREE transfer next summer’ – with Ruben Amorim ‘a long-term admirer’ of the former Red 😈
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14107731/Manchester-United-Angel-Gomes-FREE-transfer-summer-Ruben-Amorim.
A robust academy system is what stands teams apart, lads coming through. Using left foot right foot and head. That’s what Sir Alex used to say, work on your weaker foot. He once signed a lad who rang his door bell. 😅
Using “iff” in documentation
https://softwareengineering.stackexchange.com/questions/455744/using-iff-in-documentation
I don’t what these means, programmers, but we can probably make a game. I’m on the arts side. A simulator, like Ghost Recon the first one, that really uses the power of their physics system, can’t remember the name. We can stitch something together. GPUs are faster than CPUs isnt?
Stylish sniper puzzler
Children Of The Sun
just got a horde mode update and a hefty Steam discount
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/
For comparison’s sake, how much are we losing through corruption/looting annualy..
4 New Nvidia RTX 50-Series GPUs May Arrive in Early 2025
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/4-new-nvidia-rtx-50-series-gpus-may-arrive-in-early-2025
PHYSX* ? They started writing code for AI a long time ago. I used to have a desktop that I custom built and it had an Nvidia card (Asus) and an AMD processor.😅 Got them both and the Case, PSU, Motherboard (MSI), Keyboard, Mouse, Ram at Cafejava.co.za on Stadium on Main. There was also bowling, lazer tag, that first person shooter from Wreck It Ralph or look alike, Pool, a mini basketball shooting game🏀.
I used to be there all the time, even on double dates. I also kissed a girl called Mutoni, in the club upstairs. Thirsty Thursdays. She was from Burundi, a Barcelona fan, Inini I’m Athletico Madrid. Bueno🇪🇸🇧🇮🇿🇼
Across the road was Stones, anga ari ma1. Pane group ne mababe, white ladies, three of them came and someone tapped me on the shoulder. I was like guys no, I have a girl, I’m just here for the music, and no black eyes.😅
It’s a Friday.🍻
Barbershop riddim – Vybz Kartel
After all – Alkaline (video)
Martial Arts riddim – Shabba Ranks
Coollie Buddz – Mamacita
Ludacris – Roll out
Shasha – Something about you
Blake Shelton – Austin
Bon Jovi – Living on a prayer
Slice – So ndiani?
Major Players – HTown
Kapfupi – Umwe arikukazinga Umwe arkunyopora or Mai Nga’
🇿🇼🇩🇪🇯🇲
Hi DJD its Faith from Ghana. 🇿🇼🇬🇭
This were I first fall in love with Vybz Kartel. On the Barbershop riddim mix around 08:26
Actually the entire riddim needs to be played. Judith from🇧🇧 Tanto Mento and Devonte
Anna, oh my God. You guys have taken me back, Sizzla🇹🇹
Tafadzwa from Gutu, Mpandawana. Wish you were here DJD 🇿🇼
Lala from Egypt. Still a clown Dzidzai. 🇪🇬 ✊
Lala, I will dedicate Luckie D💃
*Noozels the one with the 🐨 which came to life when you rubbed it’s nose.
*Gill Darke