KEY POINTS
- ZESA is shutting down Hwange Power Station units for maintenance.
- The power utility says Kariba will help manage the electricity shortfall.
- Zimbabwe continues to struggle with persistent power shortages and outdated infrastructure.
Zimbabweans are bracing for widespread power outages as the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) prepares to shut down two key units at Hwange Power Station for maintenance.
The move, announced over the weekend, will impact electricity supply across the country, with ZESA warning that consumers should expect rolling blackouts throughout March and beyond.
According to the power utility, Unit 7 at Hwange will undergo a Class B maintenance program from March 2 to March 29, 2025. This follows the successful completion of a Class C maintenance program for Unit 8 in January 2025. Additionally, Unit 6 will be taken offline for statutory maintenance from March 15 to May 14, 2025.
ZESA emphasized that these maintenance activities are critical to ensuring the long-term reliability of Zimbabwe’s power generation infrastructure, which has struggled with aging equipment and frequent breakdowns.
ZESA promises mitigation measures
While the shutdown of Hwange Power Station units will temporarily reduce power generation, ZESA assured consumers that steps are being taken to minimize the impact.
According to New Zimbabwe, the Kariba hydroelectric plant will be carefully managed to supplement the shortfall, with adjustments made to conserve water resources for future energy demands.
“The maintenance activities are part of ZESA’s proactive approach to stabilizing the country’s electricity supply,” the power utility stated. “While we understand the inconvenience, this work is essential to prevent larger system failures in the future.”
Despite these assurances, many Zimbabweans remain skeptical, as the country has faced persistent power shortages for decades.
The reliance on outdated infrastructure at both hydroelectric and thermal power plants has made the power supply unreliable, often forcing industries and households to turn to alternative energy sources.
Zimbabwe’s ongoing power crisis
Zimbabwe has long struggled with electricity generation challenges, largely due to obsolete power plants and limited investment in energy infrastructure.
The Hwange Power Station, one of the country’s largest power generation facilities, has been in operation since the 1980s and frequently requires maintenance to keep running.
The government has attempted power sector improvement by constructing new units at Hwange, yet electricity demand exceeds available supply.
Businesses, industries, and households face prolonged interruptions of electricity service that reach durations of hours or sometimes even extended to days.
ZESA has urged the public to conserve energy where possible, especially during peak hours. The power utility actively supported the implementation of renewable energy technologies, with solar power as a solution to alleviate stress on the nationwide power grid.
With the latest maintenance work set to last until May, Zimbabweans will need to prepare for more disruptions, hoping that these repairs will lead to a more stable power supply in the future.
