The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a unit of ZESA Holdings, has increased power generation at the Kariba South Hydropower Station to mitigate a severe electricity crisis following the shutdown of two generators at the Hwange Thermal Power Station.
Since Tuesday, March 4, Kariba has been generating a maximum of 485 MW, a significant increase from the 185 MW it had been producing over the past several months due to low water levels at Lake Kariba.
Although the lake level remains low, with a mere 9.60% Usable Live Storage on February 3, 2025, compared to 15.36% on the same date in 2024, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has noted a gradual rise as the rainy season progresses.
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On Friday, ZESA announced that two units at the Hwange Thermal Power Station would shut down for maintenance.
Unit 7, one of the two new units commissioned in 2023 and generating 300 MW, will undergo maintenance from March 2 to March 29, 2025. Unit 6, an older unit producing 150 MW, will be shut down from mid-March to May.
As of Friday, Hwange was generating 1,076 MW, while the total national output stood at 1,341 MW.
However, on Wednesday, March 5, Hwange was generating 666 MW, Kariba was producing 485 MW, and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) contributed 79 MW, giving a total output of 1,230 MW.

Pindula News

ZESA in Zimbabwe is making more electricity in Kariba because some generators in Hwange stopped working. This is helping because the country does not have enough power. The water levels in Lake Kariba are low, but they are slowly rising because of the rain. Two units in Hwange are getting fixed, so they won't make electricity for a while. Overall, the country is making around 1,230 MW of electricity, with Kariba, Hwange, and other sources working together. This will help people have enough electricity for their homes.

ZESA Ramps Up Kariba Power Generation As Hwange Units Shut Down

The Zimbabwean government says the country’s power utility will continue generating electricity from the Kariba Dam hydroelectric station despite current low water levels attributed to drought.
The Kariba Dam, a primary source of electricity for both Zimbabwe and Zambia, is managed by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) on behalf of the two nations.
Last month, the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) announced plans to shut down its power station at Kariba due to depleted water levels affecting power generation.
However, Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, said the country will continue generating power from Kariba. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
The Kariba might be shut down due to the low water levels, we don’t expect this to happen on the Zimbabwean side as we share this facility with Zambia and it’s managed through the Zambezi River Authority. Our prognosis is that on the Zimbabwean side, there shouldn’t be difficulty at all.
</blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has been producing decreasing amounts of power from Kariba Dam over the past several months.
As of October 16, 2024, the ZPC Kariba South Power Station was generating a meagre 184MW, compared to its installed capacity of 1,050MW.
According to the ZRA, the lake level has been steadily decreasing due to low inflow, reaching 476.30m (5.56% usable storage) on October 15, 2024, compared to 478.40m (20.23% usable storage) on the same date last year.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe will keep making electricity at Kariba Dam, even though there's not much water because of drought. Zambia was going to shut down its power station at Kariba because of low water levels. Zimbabwe's Finance Minister said they'll keep generating power from Kariba. The amount of power being made at the dam has been decreasing. The water level in the lake is getting lower each day. Zimbabwe and Zambia share the facility, but only Zambia was planning to close it. Zimbabwe doesn't expect any problems with power generation at Kariba.

Zimbabwe To Continue Power Generation From Kariba Dam Despite Low Water Level

Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo says Zimbabwe can import up to 200 MW of electricity from South Africa and two Mozambican suppliers.
However, this additional power is not sufficient to fill the generation gap caused by the low water levels at the Kariba Dam, the site of the 1,050 MW Kariba South Power Station.
Moyo provided this update while answering questions in both the National Assembly and the Senate. He further revealed that the country’s current power generation, through the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), stands at 1,300 MW, while the peak demand is 1,850 MW.
Moyo also disclosed that some of the older units at the Hwange Thermal Power Station are currently undergoing rehabilitation. Moyo said:
<blockquote>
The Zambezi River Authority is implementing a tight water allocation schedule that has seen Zimbabwe and Zambia reducing their generation.
Kariba power station is generating an average of 292MW out of a dependable or installed capacity of 1 050MW due to low water levels.
</blockquote>
He said an average of 200MW had been secured from import arrangements with ESKOM of South Africa and EDM and HCB of Mozambique to help cover the electricity shortfall.
Members of Parliament also questioned Moyo about the unbuilt 100 MW Gwanda solar power station project. This project was awarded to Intratrek Zimbabwe Limited, a company led by Wicknell Chivayo, who has a prior criminal conviction.
The MPs sought clarification from Moyo regarding the status and progress of this solar power initiative, which has faced significant delays and controversies. Moyo responded:
<blockquote>
On the power generation deficit, I spoke about it earlier especially regarding the Chivayo issue, as exacerbating the problem that we have. True, that is so.
The power that we could have benefited from if that project had taken place would have assisted us in reducing the current deficit. That is agreed.
On the logistics of going forward, I indicated that the ball is now between ZPC, ZESA Holdings and Intratek. That is how far I can go.
</blockquote>
According to the latest statistics provided by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), as of July 16, 2024, the power generation breakdown was as follows:
<ul>
<li>Hwange Thermal Power Station: 899 MW</li>
<li>Kariba Hydroelectric Power Station: 292 MW</li>
<li>Independent Power Producers (IPPs): 43 MW</li>
</ul>
This totals 1,234 MW of domestic power generation. Adding the 200 MW imported from Mozambique and South Africa brings the total available power to 1,434 MW.
However, the country’s peak power demand stands at around 1,850 MW, leaving a persistent deficit of at least 400 MW.
This supply-demand gap partially explains the daily load shedding being experienced across Zimbabwe.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe is facing a shortage of electricity due to low water levels at the Kariba Dam. The country is importing 200 MW of power from South Africa and Mozambique to help, but it's not enough. Some power stations are being fixed, but a solar project is delayed. The country's total power generation is 1,434 MW, but the demand is 1,850 MW. This means there is still a shortage of 400 MW, leading to frequent power cuts in Zimbabwe. Members of Parliament are concerned and asking questions about the situation.

Power Imports From SA, Mozambique Partly  Offset Load Shedding

In a significant development, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), successfully reconnected Hwange Thermal Power Station’s Unit 6 last week. This achievement adds approximately 150 megawatts (MW) to the national grid.
Another 100MW unit is expected to be brought back online within the next two weeks, further bolstering the country’s power capacity.
Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo, in an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/zesa-boosts-power-output-from-hwange">The Sunday Mail</a>, highlighted the impact of these reconnections.
The two units at Hwange are poised to enhance daily power generation, aiming for an impressive output of around 1,500MW. Here’s what Minister Moyo had to say:
<blockquote>
Currently, we are producing about 1,300MW against a demand ranging from 1,700MW to 2,000MW. Last week, we successfully brought back Unit 6, one of our largest units, which now contributes 150MW.
On April 7, we’re set to bring back another 100MW unit, assuming all goes smoothly. This move will raise our production to the targeted 1,500MW.
</blockquote>
To address the remaining shortfall, local power generation is also supported by independent power producers, contributing an average of 80MW daily.
This concerted effort aims to minimize reliance on imports, aligning with Zimbabwe’s goal of self-sufficiency.
Additionally, Zimbabwe has ambitious plans for the future. By September 2024, the country intends to install its first utility-scale battery storage system (USBSS).
This large-scale battery storage acts as a giant rechargeable battery, storing excess electricity generated during off-peak hours and releasing it back into the grid during peak demand periods.
Minister Moyo also revealed that the government secured a portion of a US$310 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of India.
This funding will support the refurbishment of six old units at Hwange. However, additional funding remains a priority to ensure sustained progress.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA Boosts Hwange Power Output With Unit 6

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has directed Zimbabwe and Zambia’s power utilities, ZESA Holdings, and ZESCO Limited to maintain average power production at 214MW until the end of March 2024.
ZRA reduced the water allocation for power generation to the two power utilities by 47%, from 30 billion cubic metres (BCM) in 2023 to 16 BCM in 2024.
In a statement, ZRA said a hydrological review in the coming weeks could result in an increment, reduction or the keeping of the prevailing 8 BCM allocation. ZRA said:
<blockquote>
Given that the outcome of the rainfall forecast is generally below normal, the Authority has maintained the 16 BCM water allocation over the first quarter of 2024, providing for a combined annual average power production of 428MW, shared equally.
Based on the water allocation of 8BCM per power utility, translating to an average power production of 214MW per Utility to the end of March 2024 when the 1st Quarter 2024 hydrological review falls due as per the standing operational framework for Kariba dam reservoir operations.
The hydrological review will among other factors considering the actual performance of the 2023/2024 rainfall season and the resulting inflows into the lake over the first quarter of the year 2024.
The results of the hydrological simulations could result in an increment, reduction or the keeping of the prevailing 2024 water allocation as is.
</blockquote>
ZRA also said to date, the Kariba Catchment has recorded below-normal rainfall due to the persisting effects of El Niño weather conditions.
It warned that there is a possibility that Kariba inflows this rainy season will be one of the lowest on record
ZRA urged the power utilities to adhere strictly to their respective water allocation thresholds to sustain generation to the end of the year.
The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has been generating between 500 MW and 650 MW at Kariba Hydro over the past few weeks, but this Thursday, 07 March, generation had been reduced to a paltry 300 MW.
This week, most parts of the country have been spending up to 15 hours without electricity after weeks of relatively constant power supply.
Zimbabwe’s power demand stands at 2 100MW, yet today, ZPC was generating 684 MW from Hwange, and 300 MW from Kariba, with IPPs producing 28 MW to give a total of 1 012 MW.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Kariba Power Generation Slashed To 214 MW

The Government says the country is steadily moving towards energy sufficiency which will make load shedding a thing of the past.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zimbabwe-close-to-energy-sufficiency-local-generation-and-imports-now-meet-daily-demand-of-almost-2-000mw/">State media</a> on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) conference in Victoria Falls on Wednesday, 28 June, Energy and Power Development Ministry Permanent Secretary Gloria Magombo said local generation and imports now meet the daily demand of almost 2 000MW.
She said Hwange Thermal Power Station’s Units 7 and 8 which are undergoing technical commissioning ahead of commercialisation, have improved the power situation in the country. Said Magombo:
<blockquote>
We need to meet the growing demand which is based on the growing economy. As for Hwange Units 7 and 8, from March this year, we successfully synchronised Unit 7 which has been going through technical commissioning.
We are now doing the last of the tests and it will soon be going into commercial operation and as they are doing the tests the power is being supplied.
And we have also successfully in May brought in Unit 8 which is now going through reliability tests and, it will go on until September when it will also go into commercial operation.
While there may be a day or two where we will be doing other tests, it will be available and that is already being felt by people.
</blockquote>
Units 7 and 8 will provide a combined 600MW once they are operating at full capacity.
Before the expansion project, Hwange Power Station had an installed capacity of 920MW and the addition of 600MW from Units 7 and 8 will take the installed capacity to 1 520MW.
However, the old units experience frequent breakdowns and can no longer be relied on.
Magombo said the current demand is 1 850MW and, in addition to imports, the gap between demand and local power generation has been reduced drastically. She said:
<blockquote>
If you look at the additional 600MW which we have added onto the grid with all the two units running, our current demand is sitting at about 1 850MW.
We are now almost exactly supplying that amount, including some of the power which is coming from imports.
Obviously, you know that Kariba reduced output so we can do more in a year where there is much more water.
So we are cautiously using Kariba now, but what we have is able to meet our demand and we are able to do without any load shedding.
</blockquote>
On 01 July 2023, Kariba Hydro Power Station was generating 875 MW, Hwange 600 MW and Harare 15 MW to give a total of 1 490 MW.
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