The Sunday Mail
Harmony Agere
DINSON Steel and Iron Company, which is setting up a US$1 billion steel processing plant in Chivhu, says construction works are now underway following the connection of the site to a temporary high-voltage power line a fortnight ago.
The 7km 11kV/400V power line from the Mhofu area in Chivhu to Manhize, where the plant is situated, is the first phase of the construction of a temporary power line meant to power the site.
Dinson Iron and Steel Company, a subsidiary of Chinese steelmaker Tsingshan Holdings, has entered into a partnership with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) to construct a 97km-long power line under a Public-Private Partnership Agreement.
Power utility, Zesa, is now expected to commission the second phase of the power line, which will see an improved power distribution network within the plant.
Zesa spokesperson, Dr George Manyaya, said:
“The ZETDC would like to confirm that it connected a 2,4 kilometre transmission line to the Dinson Steel and Iron plant in Chivhu last week. The transmission line is an extension from the 7km line that was connected in the first instance.
“As a result of this additional transmission line, the capacity has increased from 500kVa to 1MVA. ZETDC remains committed to ensuring that this valued project of national importance comes to fruition through the provision of adequate electricity requirements.”
Dinson Iron and Steel Company public relations officer, Mr Pardon Kufakunesu, said the electricity connection at Manhize paves way for the commencement of plant construction.
“At the moment, we are 90 percent complete on the construction of employees’ accommodation and offices. Last Friday, we got connected by Zesa to our temporary line, 11kv/400V, which will allow us to start construction of the plant in earnest. The line is very significant as it will power all our construction equipment for the plant.”
Zesa has so far been instrumental in progress at Manhize, having commissioned the power line a couple of months ago.
“It is on this line that Dinson Iron and Steel Company connected two lines that directly connect to the plant to start construction,” said Mr Kufakunesu.
“One line is 1,1km long and the other one is 300m long. These are branching off from the previously commissioned line, which comes from Chivhu through Mhofu.
“We are grateful to Zesa for the support and the quick response to our project. Now that the power for plant construction is available, we will start the plant construction in earnest.”
The commencement of plant construction means Dinson Steel and Iron Company can start recruitment in line with existing labour demands.
“Recruitment will commence gradually as the project progresses,” said Mr Kufakunesu.
“At the moment on the ground, there are construction employees and special skills engineers who are on the ground. That is why it was necessary to start construction of accommodation. Other disciplines will be recruited in due course.”
At full production, the company will employ between 4 000 and 5 000 direct employees and create further employment opportunities downstream of the chain across diverse fields.
It will become one of the country’s largest employers, once fully functional.
