- ZPC begins construction works for a new transmission line
- Families affected by the construction of the new transmission line receive compensation.
The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has begun relocating families in Matabeleland North affected by the construction of the new 400kv transmission line. The new transmission line is under the Hwange 7 and 8 expansion project to extend the national grid to unserved areas.
Last week, 12 new homesteads were handed over to families affected by the project in the Epping Forest and Sawmills. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North, Richard Moyo, said the Epping Forest and Sawmills homesteads constructed by ZPC assured him of the future of Zimbabwe in the global community.
“The Government has aligned itself with the World Bank performance standards that are set to improve the livelihoods of displaced persons affected by a project,” he said.
ZESA executive chairman, Dr Sydney Gata, said the transmission infrastructure required a way-leave of 60 metres, traversing from Hwange at Hwange B Substation to Bulawayo’s at Insukamini Substation. “From here, the lines connect to Marvel Substation, all in Bulawayo. The transmission line passes through built-up areas, which have to be relocated to allow for the 60m way-leave.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, ZESA Holdings embarked on a relocation action plan to build new homesteads for the affected families. The plan has a total of 75 homesteads, with 45 in Matabeleland North Province and 30 in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province,” Dr Gata said.
The government, through ZESA’s subsidiary, ZPC, is implementing the Hwange Expansion Project, set to increase the national electricity supply by 600MW, as part of President Mnangagwa’s vision to achieve an upper-middle-income society by 2030.