CRI听力:China helps Zimbabwe upgrade power plant

The construction of a China-funded power plant expansion project has officially kicked off.

The Hwange Power Station expansion project, the largest ever power development project to be undertaken by Zimbabwe is expected to contribute significantly to the country's energy self-efficiency drive.

Our correspondent Gao Junya has the story from Zimbabwe.

The 1.5 billion U.S. dollar Chinese-funded Hwange Power Station expansion project is to be carried out by Sinohydro.

It's set to add two generating units to the power plant, each producing 335 megawatts of electricity.

It's the second major power development project by China in the southern African country in five years.

Sinohydro is also behind the expansion of Zimbabwe's Kariba South Hydro Power Station by an additional 300 megawatts.

At the commissioning ceremony for this latest project, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed his gratitude to China

He's asking companies from the two sides to speed up the construction.

"I would like to commend Zesa and Sinohydro for working together to ensure that this project commences as quickly as possible. Cooperation between the two entities on this and other projects demonstrate the strong mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation between our two countries."

Hwange Thermal Power Station has an installed capacity of 920 megawatts, but it's only able to provide 500 megawatts because it is aging.

Sinohydro President Liang Jun says the project will not only boosts Zimbabwe's energy sufficiency, but also optimizes the country's energy structure.

"The expansion project will go a long way in mitigating the power deficit of the country by reducing the country's reliance on power imports from neighboring countries. Meantime, the equipment used in the expansion project is more environmental friendly, helping to conserve energies and reduce pollutions."

The project is also due to help with the transfer of technology and skills and is expected to create 3-thousands direct jobs for Zimbabwe.

It's expected to be completed in 2022.

For CRI, I'm Gao Junya reporting from Zimbabwe.