THE Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a subsidiary of power utility has ZESA, has been granted the licence to develop a hydro power station in the Eastern Highlands, company officials have announced.

Zimbabwe Electricity Regulatory Authority (ZERA) chief executive, Gloria Magombo confirmed the development adding her organisation was in the process of finalising licence fees and other related conditions.

“ZERA is currently working on the license fees and conditions, and will finalise this by the 29th of June 2012,” Magombo said.

The project is expected to be completed within two years and ZPC officials said it would help ease the country’s power supply problems.

“We are excited that our application to generate power at Gairezi has been approved. ZPC are doing their best to make sure there is adequate power for Zimbabwe and this project will definitely contribute to a reduction in the power woes that have threatened industry and the nation at large,” ZPC Managing Director, Noah Gwalior said.

The company is also carrying out extensive expansion projects at its main Hwange and Kariba power stations as well as developing smaller thermal power stations around the country to help increase its generating capacity.

Zimbabwe does not generate enough electricity to meet its needs and supplies are currently being rationed to both domestic and commercial users.