KEY POINTS
- ZESA works to fix the Hwange power station fault.
- Lower Kariba water levels deepen Zimbabwe’s power shortage
- Upcoming projects will add 2,690MW to Zimbabwe’s national grid next year.
ZESA Holdings, Zimbabwe’s main electricity supplier, addressed nationwide power outages on Tuesday, attributing the disruptions to a technical fault at Hwange Power Station and low water levels affecting output at Kariba Power Station.
In a statement, ZESA said repair efforts are underway at Hwange to mitigate load shedding’s impact on homes and businesses.
ZESA works to resolve Zimbabwe power shortages
“Our technical teams are actively working to resolve the fault at Hwange to minimize the impact on our customers,” ZESA said, apologizing for the inconvenience.
Recent power shortages have been worsened by low water levels caused by an El Niño-induced drought, which has limited Kariba South Hydro Power Station’s generating capacity.
The outages come as industrial energy demand continues to rise in Zimbabwe, challenging an already-strained electricity infrastructure.
2024 projects to bolster national grid
ZESA’s statement highlighted significant upcoming projects expected to bolster Zimbabwe’s power supply by the end of 2024.
A major project is the 800-megawatt Hwange repowering initiative, led by Indian firm Jindal, which will bring six aging units at Hwange back to full capacity by December 2024.
Private projects are also expected to contribute to the grid, with eight new installations underway. These include the 720MW Titan, 300MW Zhong Jin Heli, and 270MW ZZE projects in Hwange.
Other additions will come from smaller stations, such as the 200MW Jinan in Gweru and several 100MW solar projects in Chegutu, Manhize, and Mamina.
Long-term investment in energy security
The increased power supply comes as Zimbabwe’s government pushes for energy independence and stability amid fluctuating water availability and rising industrial needs.
The additional 2,690MW from new projects, ZESA said, will be critical in addressing Zimbabwe’s growing demand, providing relief for Zimbabweans and stabilizing the national grid in the years ahead.
