Currency dispute holds up Zimbabwe private power industry
24 August 2021 - 08:38
byGodfrey Marawanyika
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Zimbabwe’s state electricity company is awaiting the outcome of international arbitration in a currency dispute with the country’s biggest private power producer that is holding up other investments.
Nyangani Renewable Energy, which operates solar and hydropower plants in Zimbabwe and Malawi, took Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution to the Johannesburg branch of the International Chamber of Commerce to rule on the disagreement over a currency conversion agreement.
“We eagerly await the outcome of the arbitration,” Ian McKersie, the MD of Harare-based Nyangani said. “If it is favourable, it will allow us to resume the conducive working relationships we have.”
Zimbabweans are subjected to regular power cuts because of the inability of Zesa to meet demand, and the state-owned company is struggling to pay for privately produced power because of a shortage of foreign currency. Other projects are stalled as producers await the outcome of the case.
Private electricity has the potential to transform the industry in Zimbabwe, and help repair an economy that has yet to recover from a collapse two decades ago. While independent power producers supply only 135MW to the grid, licences for facilities with a combined capacity of 6,858MW have been issued, according to a parliamentary report. That is more than enough to meet demand for electricity.
The dispute was heard on June 14. Nyangani says it is owed $8.6m for power delivered from its 15MW Pungwe B run-of-river hydropower plant. It wants to be paid in US dollars but Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution, a unit of Zesa, is seeking to pay in Zimbabwe dollars. The southern African nation’s currency is not accepted outside its borders.
Zesa declined to comment.
Nyangani has built eight power plants in Zimbabwe since 2009 with a total generation capacity of 32MW. Most of Zimbabwe’s power comes from the Kariba South hydropower plant and the Hwange coal-fired plant.
Bloomberg News.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Currency dispute holds up Zimbabwe private power industry
Zimbabwe’s state electricity company is awaiting the outcome of international arbitration in a currency dispute with the country’s biggest private power producer that is holding up other investments.
Nyangani Renewable Energy, which operates solar and hydropower plants in Zimbabwe and Malawi, took Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution to the Johannesburg branch of the International Chamber of Commerce to rule on the disagreement over a currency conversion agreement.
“We eagerly await the outcome of the arbitration,” Ian McKersie, the MD of Harare-based Nyangani said. “If it is favourable, it will allow us to resume the conducive working relationships we have.”
Zimbabweans are subjected to regular power cuts because of the inability of Zesa to meet demand, and the state-owned company is struggling to pay for privately produced power because of a shortage of foreign currency. Other projects are stalled as producers await the outcome of the case.
Private electricity has the potential to transform the industry in Zimbabwe, and help repair an economy that has yet to recover from a collapse two decades ago. While independent power producers supply only 135MW to the grid, licences for facilities with a combined capacity of 6,858MW have been issued, according to a parliamentary report. That is more than enough to meet demand for electricity.
The dispute was heard on June 14. Nyangani says it is owed $8.6m for power delivered from its 15MW Pungwe B run-of-river hydropower plant. It wants to be paid in US dollars but Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution, a unit of Zesa, is seeking to pay in Zimbabwe dollars. The southern African nation’s currency is not accepted outside its borders.
Zesa declined to comment.
Nyangani has built eight power plants in Zimbabwe since 2009 with a total generation capacity of 32MW. Most of Zimbabwe’s power comes from the Kariba South hydropower plant and the Hwange coal-fired plant.
Bloomberg News. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Currency dispute stalls private investment in Zimbabwe energy sector
Power producer dispute with Zim utility awaits arbitration decision
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