Published: 21 August 2013

Industrialists have called upon the government to make substantial investments in power generation and the adoption of renewable energy to boost industrial capacity utilisation.

The call for the investment in power generation follows calls for the resuscitation of the local industry which is currently operating at below 40 percent capacity.

The increase in capacity utilisation will translate to an additional need in power generation capacity.

Industrialists said the current average power generation of 1 225 megawatts falls short of the envisaged figures if the local manufacturing industry is to increase capacity utilisation to around 80 percent.

They said investment in renewable energy should be government's priority since it is cheaper to maintain once installed.

Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) group chief executive officer Engineer Josh Chifamba said power generation capacity should  be commensurate with the expected economic growth adding that despite the expansion of power stations for an additional 600 megawatts, there is need to ensure increased imports of electricity for the growth of the manufacturing industry.

"Under the Zanu PF manifesto, a 6 percent growth of the economy is projected which should be complimented by the power generation and efforts are currently underway to ensure increased imports," said Chifamba.

Zimbabwe is facing power deficit as it is generating 1 225 megawatts out of desired power of around 2 100 megawatts for the local industry to increase capacity utilisation.
- zbc

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