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Zimbabweans should brace for extended load shedding as the country’s electricity supply falters due to failing infrastructure at Hwange Thermal Power Station and critically low water levels at Kariba Dam, reported <a href="https://cite.org.zw/power-crisis-deepens-as-minister-reveals-shocking-decline-in-electricity-generation/">CITE</a>.
Many households are experiencing blackouts lasting over 18 hours and in some cases, up to 24 hours, crippling businesses and halting productivity.
In the National Assembly on Wednesday, Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo attributed the worsening crisis to dysfunction at Zimbabwe’s key power generation facilities.
This came after MP Engineer Leslie Mhangwa, who chairs the Energy Portfolio Committee, questioned Moyo about the growing power shortages despite typically higher winter generation levels, which are now leading to more than 24 hours of continuous load shedding in some areas. Said Mhangwa:
<blockquote>
From the statistics from Zimbabwe Power Company, currently we are generating almost the same power we were generating in winter.
In winter, we had shorter load shedding with the high usage from winter and the winter wheat crop. Yet now we are having more than 24 hours load shedding.
Is there a crisis that has not been notified to the people or is it a new Government policy that has changed?
</blockquote>
Moyo, however, disputed Mhangwa’s assessment, presenting recent figures to illustrate the steep decline in electricity production. He said:
<blockquote>
The power that we were generating in winter is not the same as the power being generated now.
Currently, at Hwange 7 and 8, we are running at full throttle and generating 640 megawatts.
At Hwange Stages 1 and 2, during winter, we were at peak capacity at 420 megawatts. Now, we are doing 260 megawatts, and as a result of the breakdown of other units, we are now generating power using just three units.
In Kariba during that time, we were able to do up to 300 megawatts but now we are only able to do 100 megawatts.
We were allocated 8.4 billion cubic metres of water for Lake Kariba for use this year but, at some point, we had to get up to 500 megawatts from Kariba to meet the high demand.
That has significantly reduced the water levels, and we are now left with about 1 billion cubic litres of water, which can generate 100 megawatts up to the end of the year.
</blockquote>
Mhangwa pressed the minister about inconsistencies in power generation statistics, pointing out that on certain days, power output exceeded 1,100 megawatts, yet load shedding still occurred. He said:
<blockquote>
On 4 August 2024 we generated 1,128 (megawatts), in September 2024 we generated 917 and on 29 August 2024, we generated 1,108.
Today, we are supposed to have generated 1 128 but we are worse off today than when we were generating less. Something is inaccurate there, Hon. Minister.
</blockquote>
Moyo explained that daily power fluctuations are due to solar power, which varies with weather conditions.
On sunny days, solar systems generate maximum power, but on overcast or partly cloudy days, they generate less. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
Some of the power that is being referred to comes from solar, and solar by its nature is intermittent.
In terms of the power generated every day, you may find that you may vacillate between 20 and 70 megawatts depending on the climate [sic] conditions on that day.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The Energy Minister in Zimbabwe said there is a big problem with making electricity. The Hwange power station and Kariba Dam don't work well. People are getting power cuts for long hours, which stops businesses from working. The Minister says there is not enough electricity being made, even though they used to make more in the winter. The Minister said the solar power is also not reliable. This means that the country is facing a big electricity problem, and things might get worse if they don't fix it soon.

Energy Minister Reveals Shocking Decline In Electricity Generation

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has extended load shedding to over 24 hours on some days, following a reduction in electricity generation at its largest power plant, Hwange Thermal Power Station, and its most reliable station, Kariba Hydro Power Plant.
According to Zimbabwe Price Check, many neighborhoods experienced power outages lasting the entire day on Tuesday this week. It said:
<blockquote>
If you did not get any power last night in your neighbourhood, you are not alone. Many people in Harare have reported the same issue.
ZESA power was never restored yesterday evening. This means many households are now facing more than 24 hours of load-shedding.
</blockquote>
In some areas of the country, including Chitungwiza, electricity was restored just after 10 PM on Thursday, only for residents to be plunged back into darkness less than three hours later.
This week, ZESA confirmed the ongoing power shortage, attributing it to a technical fault at Hwange Power Station and low generation capacity at Kariba Power Station, which is struggling due to low water levels. The power utility said:
<blockquote>
ZESA Holdings would like to advise its valued stakeholders that the national power grid is currently experiencing reduced electricity generation capacity due to a technical fault at Hwange Power Station.
This has been further compounded by low generation capacity at Kariba Power Station, resulting from low water levels.
Our technical teams are actively working to resolve the fault at Hwange to minimise the impact on our customers.
</blockquote>
On Friday, November 15, ZESA’s power generation unit, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), reported that Hwange was producing 874 megawatts (MW), Kariba was generating 124.5 MW, and independent power producers were contributing 66 MW.
Despite these figures, many ZESA customers are puzzled by the severity of the load shedding, which seems disproportionate to the daily electricity generation statistics provided by ZPC.
In the past, load shedding was less severe when ZESA’s total generation was under 1,000 MW. This has led the public to question why they are facing 16-hour or longer blackouts now, when ZESA is generating more than half of the country’s electricity needs and also claims to be impoerting power from neighbouring countries.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA in Zimbabwe is cutting off electricity for more than 24 hours in some places. This is because their main power plants are not working well. People are experiencing long periods of darkness in their homes. ZESA says there is a technical problem at the Hwange Power Station and low water levels at the Kariba Power Station. They are trying to fix the problems. Even though there is still some electricity being produced, the blackouts are lasting longer. This is confusing for people because in the past, blackouts were not as long when there was less electricity being generated.

ZESA Extends Load Shedding To Over 24 Hours

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has attributed the country’s chronic electricity shortages to a combination of factors, including contractual agreements with neighbouring countries.
While Zimbabwe struggles to generate enough power to meet domestic demand, it is also bound by agreements to export electricity to countries like Namibia.
Victor Sibanda, a ZERA Research and Energy Efficiency Engineer, provided an overview of the power supply challenges during a media engagement with ZERA in Bulawayo on Wednesday.
He said that in 2023, Zimbabwe’s average electricity supply was around 1,640 megawatts, falling short of the average demand of 1,865 megawatts.
The situation worsened on November 5, 2024, when the country generated only 1,092 megawatts against a demand of 1,760 megawatts, creating a deficit of 668 megawatts.
Although imports helped cover part of the shortfall, supplying 235 megawatts, exports still amounted to 176 megawatts.
Sibanda explained that load shedding is a result of the need to balance limited supply with the demand for critical services.
He said that power distribution is uneven, with essential services such as hospitals, security installations, and water facilities being prioritized to avoid outages whenever possible. Said Sibanda:
<blockquote>
We cannot have a hospital on load shedding, a water-based location, or institutions of security on load shedding, it’s a simple fact.
Sometimes, the substation where electricity is coming from, the line passes from a residential area to a hospital, people there will benefit because of that, not because we are not supposed to not shed them.
By nature of being close to the hospital, properties will also have the benefits and disadvantages of being close to the hospital.
</blockquote>
He said load shedding was “not an issue of punishment” but an effort to “maintain an equilibrium of what we have and what the system will deliver.” Said Sibanda:
<blockquote>
Mostly the ones who are affected are residential and other non-essential industries who are the ones who are affected. I don’t think there is favouritism when it comes to load shedding.
Don’t blame your local ZESA people. Sometimes they don’t even know when it happens. It’s controlled from somewhere.
They are actually asked to go and switch off where they are staying in some instances. It’s basically like that but it’s not a punishment.
</blockquote>
The ZERA official also revealed that despite national shortages, Zimbabwe exports electricity to neighbouring countries. He said:
<blockquote>
We send about zero to eight megawatts to Namibia, depending on availability because it’s a contractual agreement, it was financed by the Namibian government.
And how we repay it is if we do it, we supply the electricity. But when it’s out, we don’t supply the electricity.
</blockquote>
Sibanda said exporting surplus electricity can be economically beneficial, especially when the national grid produces excess power during off-peak hours. 
For instance, Zambia’s copper mining industry, which operates continuously, buys power from Zimbabwe during these hours when electricity is cheaper.
This arrangement enables Zimbabwe to generate revenue from surplus energy that cannot be stored. Said Sibanda:
<blockquote>
Zambia operates its copper mines which require electricity 24/7. They might also choose to get electricity off-peak. That’s when electricity is cheap, probably Zambia’s electricity would be expensive. 
They might choose to get electricity from Zimbabwe, which is cheap because Zimbabwe also has a lot of electricity, which they are not using. So they might also opt to buy from us.
Those are some of the scenarios of us exporting, while we still are in a deficit.
</blockquote>
Sibanda said that energy wastage is a major challenge, estimating that around 300 megawatts, or 20% of Zimbabwe’s national supply, is lost due to inefficient equipment and careless use.
He emphasized the need for improved efficiency standards and conservation practices to make better use of the limited electricity.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe doesn't have enough electricity because it has to send some to other countries. The country's demand for electricity is more than what it can generate. As a result, there are power cuts in some areas to balance the supply. Important places like hospitals and security places get electricity first to avoid outages. Zimbabwe also exports electricity to get money, especially when they have extra power. But many people still waste electricity, which is a big problem. It's important to save electricity and use it wisely.

Load Shedding Driven By Low Generation And Export Obligations - ZERA

Zimbabweans should prepare for increased load shedding as the festive season approaches, due to the frequent breakdowns of ageing equipment in units one to six at Hwange Thermal Power Station.
The situation is expected to worsen with the onset of the rainy season, leading to an increase in electrical faults.
During a Question and Answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo told lawmakers that the planned repowering of the old units at Hwange, starting in 2025, along with a requirement for ferrochrome smelters to generate their power, will help mitigate the country’s power shortages. Said Moyo (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200034532/zim-faces-dark-festive-season">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
The frequency of blackouts has increased. First, as a result of the old and antiquated equipment in units one to six at Hwange which we are working on where we have signed a deal with a company from India — Jindal, which is going to start on the repowering exercise beginning early next year. That is one way of reducing the frequency of those blackouts.
Secondly, we are getting into the rainy season where we experience lightning, and wind — our infrastructure is going to be affected. We have been talking about a strategy on how to quickly respond to that.
</blockquote>
Moyo said the drought experienced during the 2023-24 summer season has resulted in low water levels in Kariba Dam. He said:
<blockquote>
Understandably so, we have been affected by the drought, Lake Kariba is a very critical asset in the power production process because that is the area where we use to balance power.
It is where we are able to ramp up production of supply or reduce it so that we can maintain a balance in the power supply. So, the issue of drought has really affected us and the impact is high.
However, to reduce the impact and to ensure that we supply those areas that cannot supply themselves, we have asked ferrochrome smelters to develop their own generation so that by the end of 2025, they will be able to supply themselves.
</blockquote>
On November 1, 2024, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) reported that the usable live storage at Lake Kariba—water available for power generation—had declined to 2.89 billion cubic meters (BCM), representing just 4.46% of capacity. In contrast, on the same date in 2023, the usable live storage was 11.59 BCM, or 17.90%.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe is expecting more power outages because of old equipment breaking down at the Hwange Thermal Power Station. The rainy season will make things worse. The Energy Minister plans to fix the equipment starting in 2025. A drought in 2023-24 made things worse because of low water levels at Lake Kariba. The authority reported less water available for power generation than the year before. They are asking ferrochrome smelters to make their own power by 2025 to help with the power shortage. The situation looks tough, and people should be ready for more outages.

Zimbabwe Braces For Increased Power Outages

Local manufacturers are grappling with severe power cuts lasting over 18 hours daily, forcing them to rely on expensive diesel generators, which significantly increases production costs.
Zimbabwe requires about 1,700 megawatts (MW) of electricity during peak hours, but the state-owned power utility, ZESA, was generating just over 800 MW on Wednesday, October 30.
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industry (CZI), the country’s largest business lobby group, described the situation as dire. Said the CZI:
<blockquote>
Industry members have reported going for between 12-18 hours without electricity and report that power is being restored between 11 pm and 7 am in the majority of cases.
The absence of a load schedule that is strictly adhered to has exacerbated the effect of the power cuts as affected companies cannot plan employee deployment resulting in redundant working staff for periods when power is unavailable.
The other consequence of unscheduled power cuts is that machinery requires a systemized shutdown process in order to ensure raw materials are fully utilized and the machinery itself is properly shut down.
Sudden power outages result in loss of raw materials and equipment damage.
</blockquote>
Some machinery requires process heating, which involves applying heat during industrial operations. This heating can take 3 to 5 hours before production starts.
Consequently, if electricity is available for 8 hours, effective production time is limited to just 3 to 5 hours. The CZI said:
<blockquote>
However, the electricity bill will reflect usage of 8 hours against actual production of only 3-5 hours. In sectors that heavily rely on electricity such as the plastics and cement industry this can mean failing to achieve the economies of scale necessary to cover production costs.
This situation is particularly severe for companies that do not have dedicated power lines which are normally found in the small to medium sectors.
Companies have sought to mitigate the effects of power outages through the installation of solar energy and battery storage for use at night.
However, this is often very expensive and requires significant funding that many firms struggle to secure.
</blockquote>
Christopher Mugaga, CEO of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), told <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/power-crisis-deepens-3/">Business Times</a> that power outages will significantly affect the country’s economic performance in 2024.
He said the ongoing rolling blackouts could reduce the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 0.6 percentage points.
Mugaga operating generators is costly, which companies are using for 14 to 18 hours daily.
This situation not only deters investments but also leads to substantial losses in foreign direct investment (FDI), estimated between $120 million and $150 million annually due to power shortages.
Oswell Binha, chairman of the CEO Africa Roundtable, said power outages can last 18 hours or more, and in some cases, the power quality is so poor that businesses cannot operate even when electricity is available.
He described the situation as critical, with many companies relying on costly generators. This dilemma forces businesses to choose between raising prices or facing severe shortages in stores.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Manufacturers in Zimbabwe are suffering because of long power cuts, lasting over 18 hours every day. This means they have to use expensive diesel generators, making production more costly. The lack of a proper schedule for power cuts is causing problems for companies who can't plan their work properly. Some companies are trying to use solar energy as a solution, but it's very expensive. The power cuts may harm the country's economy and lead to a loss of foreign investments. Overall, the situation is critical for many businesses in Zimbabwe.

Manufacturers Struggle Under Burden of Daily 18-Hour Power Cuts

ZESA executive chairman Sydney Gata has attributed the current power shortages in the country to illegal sanctions imposed on the country by Western powers, which have prevented the power utility and other entities from accessing concessionary loans for infrastructure development.
As a result, Zimbabweans are enduring daily blackouts lasting at least 15 hours in their homes and businesses.
To prevent the collapse of the national grid, ZESA has implemented stringent power rationing measures. 
In an exclusive interview with The Herald in Harare on Thursday, Gata explained that the power crisis has been further exacerbated by drought, which has severely reduced the water available for power generation at the Kariba Dam. Said Gata:
<blockquote>
We have been unfortunate with Kariba hydrology or Zambezi hydrology to be more accurate. We have lost the capacity of Kariba… drastic losses.
For instance, the power station is rated at 1050MW today but we are hardly producing 150MW.
What hurts the most is that Kariba is normally our baseload plant because it is cheap to deploy and also highly reliable.
Hydropower plants have less equipment on them and are more stable to operate than confined power plants throughout the world.
So, we lost our cheapest source of energy and our most reliable source of energy and that explains today’s load shedding.
</blockquote>
On October 22, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), ZESA’s power generating unit, reported that the country was producing a total of 1,012 MW of electricity.
This included 784 MW from Hwange, 184 MW from Kariba, and 43 MW from Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe is facing power shortages because of sanctions. The sanctions stop Zimbabwe from getting loans for improving power. The country is having daily blackouts for at least 15 hours. ZESA is rationing power to avoid a national grid collapse. Drought is also making the power crisis worse. The Kariba Dam, which usually generates a lot of power, is producing much less now. Zimbabwe only has 1,012 MW of electricity being produced, which is much less than it needs. The situation is really bad because of the lack of power and water.

ZESA Blames Load Shedding On Western Sanctions

The Zimbabwean government has approved a series of measures to address the country’s persistent power supply shortages, which have resulted in extended load-shedding periods of up to 16 hours per day.
During a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere, outlined the government’s plans to improve the nation’s electricity situation. Said Muswere:
<blockquote>
The structural challenges are being addressed by the Mutapa Investment Fund in a process involving bundling or merging of some entities under ZESA Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, as recommended by an independent consultant who was commissioned to undertake the task.
This will result in a more simplified and efficient governance and management structure. Supply-side interventions include rehabilitation of Hwange Units 1 to 6 under a Build, Operate and Transfer arrangement which is set to commence this year.
The Mutapa Investment Fund is also putting in place measures to cater for the foreign currency requirements of Independent Power Producers.
To address the low uptake of net metering from solar-generated electricity, ZESA has been specifically directed to promote the facility and streamline the pertinent procedures and requirements to increase uptake.
The loss of electricity during transmission is being attended to through the establishment of a joint venture between ZENT and QLV for the manufacture of cables, and in dealing with theft.
</blockquote>
The extended periods of load shedding have driven many Zimbabwean businesses and households to seek alternative energy solutions, such as diesel-powered generators and solar power systems.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government in Zimbabwe is working on fixing the problem of not having enough electricity. They are making changes to make sure there is more power available. They are fixing old power plants and working with other companies to improve things. People in Zimbabwe are facing long hours of not having electricity, so they are using generators or solar power instead. The government is trying to make it easier for people to use solar power by promoting it more. They are also working on stopping electricity from being stolen during transmission. These changes should help improve the situation in Zimbabwe.

Government Approves Measures To Combat Severe Power Shortages

Zimbabwe’s power generation is expected to decline further in the coming months as Units 7 and 8 of the Hwange Thermal Power Station, which provide nearly half of the country’s electricity, are scheduled for Class C maintenance—a statutory requirement.
This maintenance will remove 600 MW from the grid at a time when output from Kariba has fallen to just 215 MW.
Consequently, Zimbabwe will rely on five operational units at Hwange (1, 2, 3, 4, and 6), many of which are prone to breakdowns.
Class C maintenance involves more comprehensive tasks than routine maintenance. This type of maintenance is scheduled periodically and includes detailed inspections of critical components and systems to identify potential issues that may not be evident during regular checks.
It also encompasses complete overhauls of major equipment, such as turbines, generators, and boilers, ensuring they operate efficiently and safely. 
Additionally, extensive testing and calibration of instruments and control systems are conducted to maintain accuracy and reliability.
Gloria Magombo, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, said that Zimbabwe has licenced Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects totalling nearly 2,000 MW in solar energy and 920 MW in coal.
However, most of these projects remain unimplemented because investors require a stable environment and government guarantees on returns.
Magombo said that the average electricity demand during winter was 2,300 MW, while the average supply stood at only 1,550 MW.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe's power might decrease because Hwange Units 7 and 8 are undergoing maintenance. This will remove 600 MW from the grid. The country will have to rely on other units at Hwange, which sometimes break down. The maintenance involves checking critical parts to make sure everything works well. Zimbabwe has licensed projects for solar and coal energy, but they are not implemented yet. More power is needed than what is currently available.

Power Crisis Looms As Hwange Units 7 And 8 Go Offline For Maintenance

ZESA Holdings says the load-shedding experienced across the country is set to ease, as a technical fault that had affected Hwange Power Station Unit 8 since last week has now been resolved, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zesa-puts-measures-to-ease-power-shortages/">The Herald</a>.
Addressing the media in Harare on Monday, August 26, ZESA Executive Chairman Sydney Gata said that the unit is now awaiting synchronisation.
Gata also said the power utility plans to install a utility-scale battery energy storage system, which will provide 600 megawatts of power during morning and evening peak periods for up to three hours. He said:
<blockquote>
We experienced a fault at the Hwange Power Station Unit 8 last week and we had to switch it off.
These are normal technical hitches that happen during the infancy of any new plants and I’m glad to notify you that our engineers have resolved this and we expect to synchronise the unit to be back online soon…
ZESA will install a utility-scale battery energy storage system of 1800 MWh (1.8GWh) which will provide 3 hours of 600 MW during morning and evening peaks.
This will substantially reduce load shedding, besides providing some benefits to system operations.
This project is at the procurement stage. The energy to charge the batteries will be supplied or procured off-peak.
</blockquote>
Gata also announced that Hwange Power Station Units 1 to 6 will undergo a repowering project to boost the current output from 485MW to 840MW.
He further revealed that there are plans in the pipeline to construct an additional four new units with a total capacity of 1,200MW at the Hwange Thermal Power Station. He said:
<blockquote>
Jindal of India will invest in an additional 4 new units at Hwange introducing 1 200 MW of new capacity. Feasibility studies for these have commenced.
This will see an improvement of consistent output from the current average of 485 MW to 840 MW. The programme will be executed unit by unit in the next 36-48 months, with work having commenced on Unit 5, using internal resources.
Hwange Power Station’s ongoing Repowering Programme is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the station’s reliability and output.
With this investment (US$800 million), the project is set to upgrade Units 1 to 6, ensuring increased capacity, and reliability, and extending the operational life of the units by 15 to 20 years.
Currently, the station is maintaining a commendable output of 485MW, even as Unit 5 is being upgraded.
The completion of Unit 5 repowering effort is strategically scheduled for April 2025, which will bolster the station’s capacity in preparation for the high demand during the winter peak season.
</blockquote>
Gata said ZESA has entered agreements with ferrochrome companies to supply their own power. He said:
<blockquote>
Construction work has already started at one site targeting to produce 300 MW of thermal power in Hwange, with the first 100 MW coming on stream by mid-2025.
Construction work will commence this Q3 on a 720 MW thermal power station by one of the ferrochrome companies for self-supply and supply to other ferrochrome companies.
Ferrochrome companies will be investing in renewable energy, solar and wind, commencing this year.
In total, smelting companies have reached an advanced stage for the construction of a total of 300 MW of solar and 100 MW of wind power.
</blockquote>
According to the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), on Monday, August 26th, the power generation figures were as follows: Hwange Power Station was generating 780 MW, Kariba Power Station was generating 215 MW, and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) were producing 47 MW. This amounted to a total national power generation of 1,042 MW on that day.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA, a power company, says they fixed a problem at a power station and power shortages will get better. They will use batteries to help with power during busy times. They will also upgrade other power stations to make more power. Some companies will make their own power too. ZESA said they are working on different projects to make more power for the country. On August 26, they said the power stations were generating a total of 1,042 MW. This will help reduce power shortages in the country.

ZESA Executive Chairman Announces Measures To Ease Power Shortages

Business executives and captains of industry in Zimbabwe are facing a challenging 2024. The country’s persistent electricity shortages, coupled with rising costs, have raised concerns.
As the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) reduces water allocation to ZESA and ZESCO for power generation at Kariba Dam due to the water crisis, the situation is expected to worsen.
Hwange Power Station is now the primary source of power, but technical glitches occasionally result in total outages.
To mitigate the impact, some companies may resort to staff rationalisation, reduced production, and price adjustments.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.businessweekly.co.zw/alarm-over-potential-rise-in-energy-costs/">Business Weekly</a>, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president, Kurai Matsheza, lamented that electricity costs have constantly been increasing while at the same time supply remains depressed. He said:
<blockquote>
Some companies will switch to more expensive alternative sources of power, so again, it is an increase in cost.
When that happens, combined with the real cost of electricity that has aggressively gone up, it just makes the cost of producing more expensive, and those costs will be transferred to the goods and services that are being sold.
It is not good for us as producers but also not good for consumers; this will just make the cost go up.
</blockquote>
Victor Bhoroma, an economist, said without addressing power generation, the Zimbabwean economy will not achieve consistent growth. He said:
<blockquote>
Businesses will have to invest more in alternative power, which adds another layer to the cost of doing business and increases consumer prices.
A lot of productive time will be lost, which entails operating below optimum capacity and retrenching labour.
</blockquote>
Another economist, Eddie Cross, said the situation is very serious and will affect businesses across the nation. Said Cross:
<blockquote>
Many firms are running generators, and others are installing solar power panels and batteries.
But where people cannot respond, they will have to cut costs and raise prices.
</blockquote>
To mitigate the impact of shortages, the government aims to commission small hydro and solar power stations.
These initiatives are expected to add approximately 90 MW in 2024 through Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
By 2025, an additional 296 MW is anticipated to come online, primarily from solar, hydro, and coal projects.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Industry Leaders Brace For Soaring Costs Amid Power Shortages

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has said a power outage which affected a hotel and leisure business in Vumba is due to a stolen 5km of 11kv line feeding the area.
The areas affected include Vumba, Burma Valley, Fern Valley, and Zimunya.
In a statement, ZETDC said it has experienced numerous faults caused by heavy rains which have exacerbated the power outages.
ZETDC also revealed that last year alone, a total of 1 569 cases of vandalism and theft were reported. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
ZETDC has taken note of the communication circulating on social media platforms relating to a fault that occurred in the Vumba area, which has affected a hotel and leisure business in that location. Areas affected by this fault include Vumba, Burma Valley, Fern Valley, and Zimunya.
The utility wishes to update the public on the extent of the fault as follows:
<ol>
<li>5km of 11kv line feeding the said area was stolen.</li>
<li>The area experienced numerous faults caused by heavy rains where we had 12 poles that fell and required replacement.</li>
</ol>
There have been numerous efforts to resolve the issue. Whilst we had initiated our normal procurement process and were ready to restore supplies, there was another case of vandalism of a transformer in Vumba which led to the arrest of two men from Odzi and are now appearing before the criminal courts.
Accordingly, at the end of last week, the utility had managed to source the critical materials to re-power the affected areas back.
We have initiated the commencement of the works and a continuous wayleave clearance to help reduce damages due to faults, and customers are advised to expect restoration of service by mid-next week.
Vandalism has become a menace, and the utility is battling to keep up with the replacement of stolen power lines and transformers.
In 2023 alone, a total of 1 569 cases of vandalism and theft were reported, and of these cases, 172 arrests were made, and 33 cases were convicted. We urge all stakeholders to join forces to protect electrical infrastructure.
The utility would like to reiterate its support and commitment to providing power to all essential industries of the economy.
This is inclusive of the tourism and hospitality industry, where measures are in place to ensure that industry players always have power supply.
The inconvenience caused to these areas is sincerely regretted.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Stolen ZESA Power Line Plunges Vumba Into Darkness

Some of the recent power outages in the country have arisen from faults experienced by the power utility, ZESA, on its electricity transmission system, a top government official has said.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/power-outages-not-a-reflection-of-subdued-generation/">The Herald</a> in response to the recent power outages, Energy and Power Development Permanent Secretary Gloria Magombo said power generation at the Hwange Thermal Power Plant is up and private businesses have reduced their demand on the grid by installing solar panels.
She said the Government now requires a detailed report from ZESA, explaining the challenges and measures to prevent a recurrence of the problems. Said Magombo:
<blockquote>
As Government what we have been working on in the short term is to ensure that ZESA is viable as a company.
The viability of ZESA is quite critical in ensuring that they collect sufficient revenue to ensure that repairs and maintenance of their system are done on time.
Both Hwange units seven and eight are now back after maintenance and we are very happy about that.
We have other challenges which are beyond us as individuals because of issues of climate change, where the water allocation has been reduced for Kariba.
But we are encouraging more independent power producers to come and do solar so that at least during the day they can provide the additional capacity which we need to keep our system going.
We have also seen the rise of what we call commercial and industrial systems where industries on their own have installed industrial systems on rooftops, including storage and that for us is very good because as Government we have allowed for duty-free importation for these renewable energy systems which are being installed by industry.
So, we have encouraged industry to be also part of the solution by installing these systems. We have several companies which have installed them.
</blockquote>
She said the government is aware that there will be a need to increase electricity imports to augment local power generation given that Kariba South is on a reduced capacity due to low water levels in Kariba Dam.
Magombo said ZESA at times experiences system challenges which can affect the whole country resulting in power outages. She said:
<blockquote>
I think it’s important to know that at times there is a system fault which affects the system in a country, it’s not an everyday occurrence and I am aware that ZESA is investigating what is the cause and also coming up with solutions to avoid similar occurrences in future.
For us as Government, that is what we demand we are saying yes there is a fault but we want them to be able to produce a report with clear solutions to that fault and how they will in future avoid such similar problems.
That’s an area which as Government we have made our position clear on.
</blockquote>
Last week, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) said a fault at the Insukamini 330KV Substation resulted in a loss of electricity across the whole country.
Zimbabwe has been experiencing frequent power outages over the years as supply has fallen behind demand.
Climate change, which has reduced Lake Kariba inflows, ageing equipment at Hwange Power Station, and a lack of investment in the energy sector, among other factors, have contributed to Zimbabwe’s electricity crisis.
On 10 January 2023, the country was generating a total of 951MW, against a peak demand of 1 850MW. 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Power Outages Attributable To Faults, Not Subdued Generation - Govt

Energy and Power Development Minister, Soda Zhemu, says the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) should not disconnect power at important institutions such as hospitals.
This comes as power generation by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has plummeted to 320MW in total as of 2 March 2023.
Responding to questions from MPs during a Q and A session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Soda warned that unplanned power outages will continue until “dependable equipment” is installed at the coal-fired power station in Hwange. Said Soda:
<blockquote>
The depressed power supply outage of Hwange Power Station resulted in three units being lost on 23 and 24 February 2023 respectively.
Hwange Power station lost 363MW from 440MW to 77MW. The old equipment is due for replacement.
The power outage at Hwange was a forced, unplanned fault on the day and until we have dependable equipment that we need, such outages will be common.
</blockquote>
Soda said the government had put in place a national renewable energy policy in 2019 to make use of fossil, solar, wind and biogas energy. He said:
<blockquote>
To date, the government has licensed 90 investments of 20 have been developed adding 68-96 megawatts to the national grid.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe has increased power imports from Zambia, South Africa and Mozambique from 300MW to 500MW, according to Soda.
However, Zimbabwe is currently exporting 80MW to Namibia
In 2015,<a href="https://africa-energy-portal.org/news/zimbabwe-struggling-zesa-set-increase-power-exports-namibia"> Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) and Namibia’s electricity company (NamPower) signed a 15-year agreement</a> for Zimbabwe to supply electricity to Namibia following the end of an initial agreement signed in 2006.
The initial agreement between ZESA and NamPower saw the Namibian power utility rehabilitating the Hwange Power Station in Zimbabwe at a cost of US$40 million.
More <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Hospitals To Enjoy Uninterrupted Electricity Supply... Zimbabwe Exporting 80MW To Namibia

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) on Sunday said it was experiencing depressed electricity generation due to technical faults at Kariba Hydroelectric Power Plant and Hwange Thermal Power Plant.
Since early last week, most parts of the country have been experiencing longer power outages, with some areas going for 16 hours without electricity.
In a public notice, ZETDC urged electricity users to protect their electrical gadgets by switching them off during power outages. Reads the notice:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) would like to advise its valued customers that it is experiencing depressed electricity generation and as a result, there is increased pressure on the grid. This is due to technical faults at Hwange and Kariba power stations.
Customers are therefore advised to use electricity sparingly and to switch off all electrical appliances during the outages to minimise the risk of possible damage to these appliances.
All stakeholders are assured that our teams are working round the clock to ensure restoration of service.
</blockquote>

Technical Faults Hit Kariba, Hwange Power Plants - ZESA

About a dozen suburbs in Bulawayo have gone for more than 20 hours without electricity following a technical fault on the ZESA grid.
The suburbs include Queens Park, Glenville, Cowdray Park, Richmond Trenance, Luveve, Matshobana, Mzilikazi, Gwabalanda, Njube, Entumbane, and Nkulumane.
Most of the suburbs experienced a power blackout around 2 PM on Monday and electricity had not been restored by mid-morning on Tuesday.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) said it was working to rectify the problem. It said:
<blockquote>
The ZEDTC would like to apologise to its valued customers in Western Region for power outages due to a fault on the network.
… Our teams are working round the clock to ensure full restoration of service.
</blockquote>

Technical Fault On ZESA Grid Causes Power Outage In Bulawayo

ZESA Holdings’ power distribution subsidiary, ZETDC, says the strong winds currently prevailing in some parts of the country are to blame for power cuts as they are affecting electricity transmission infrastructure.
In a public notice issued on Sunday afternoon, ZESA said it was sorry for the increased power outages and pledged to restore power in affected areas in the shortest period possible. It said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) would like to apologize to its valued customers nationwide for increased power outages.
This is due to increased windy conditions affecting some parts of the country leading to increased incidences of faults.
Our teams are working round the clock to ensure full restoration of service.
</blockquote>

ZESA Blames Strong Winds For Power Outages