India hands over $48.1 million Deka water Pipeline Project to Zimbabwe
THE Indian Government, financing contractor for the 42km water pipeline connecting Hwange Power Station to the Deka High Lift Pump Station on the Zambezi River, is today expected to handover the completed project to the Government of Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC).
Exim Bank of India funded the project through a US$48,1 million credit line to ensure the extended Hwange Power Station, Units 7 and 8, has adequate water for boilers and cooling, with an extra supply for the local Deka community.
The Deka Upgrade Project started on October 1 2021, with President Mnangagwa officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the pipeline in March 2022.
The 962mm pipeline runs parallel to the existing one used by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) for water supply to the power station and Hwange community.
A thermal power station uses a lot of water. While water can be recycled with steam cooled down back to water, there is a need for continual topping up of the pure boiler supply, plus a top-up of the water needed in the cooling towers.
The project scope involved the construction of a 42km pipeline from Deka on the Zambezi River, the upgrading of the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) pump station, and the creation of three outlets along the way to supply communities in Makwa, Mashala and Chachachunda with potable water.
The communities also benefitted through job creation.
Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo is expected to preside over the handover ceremony at the dam site where the ground-breaking took place in Zimbali in Hwange.-chronicle
