Zimbabwe braces for increased power outages! As Zimbabwe heads into the festive season, citizens are being advised to brace for increased load shedding due to recurrent equipment failures at Hwange Thermal Power Station and low water levels at Kariba Dam.
The country’s power situation has been further strained by drought impacts and ageing infrastructure, factors which are making reliable electricity access increasingly difficult.
Ageing Infrastructure at Hwange Thermal Power Station
Hwange Thermal Power Station, one of Zimbabwe’s largest sources of electricity, is facing frequent breakdowns, particularly in units one to six, which rely on outdated machinery. These recurring failures have significantly limited power production, leading to an increase in blackouts across the country.
During a recent Question and Answer session in the National Assembly, Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo acknowledged the frequency of these outages. Minister Moyo explained that the government has signed a repowering agreement with Jindal, an Indian company, to rehabilitate and modernize these ageing units beginning in early 2025. This move is aimed at reducing the frequency of breakdowns and extending the life of Hwange’s power units.
However, with the repowering project scheduled to begin only next year, the country will continue to rely on the current equipment, which may struggle to meet energy demands in the short term. “The frequency of blackouts has increased due to the old and antiquated equipment,” Moyo said. “The repowering exercise is one way of reducing the frequency of those blackouts.”
Additional Power Disruptions Due to Rainy Season
Beyond the challenges at Hwange, the rainy season is expected to compound Zimbabwe’s power issues. The onset of seasonal rains brings with it increased occurrences of electrical faults due to lightning, strong winds, and flooding, all of which can damage infrastructure.
Minister Moyo highlighted that the government is developing strategies to respond quickly to rain-related issues, though this may provide only limited relief in light of the infrastructure’s vulnerability.
“Our infrastructure is going to be affected,” Moyo said, referring to the upcoming rainy season. “We have been talking about a strategy on how to quickly respond to that.” The lack of proactive maintenance and long-term investment has left Zimbabwe’s power grid susceptible to disruptions, particularly during extreme weather conditions.
Drought-Induced Power Shortages at Kariba Dam
In addition to Hwange’s struggles, Zimbabwe’s other main power source, the Kariba Dam, has been severely affected by drought. Over the past year, the 2023-24 summer season yielded extremely low rainfall, leading to a critical depletion of water levels in Lake Kariba, which fuels hydroelectric power generation.
Lake Kariba’s water levels are crucial for maintaining a balanced power supply in Zimbabwe, allowing authorities to scale generation up or down as needed. Yet, according to a report from the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) on November 1, 2024, the lake’s usable live storage has plunged to just 2.89 billion cubic meters (BCM), a mere 4.46% of its capacity.
In comparison, Lake Kariba’s storage was at 11.59 BCM (17.90% capacity) on the same date in 2023. These low levels limit the dam’s ability to support Zimbabwe’s energy requirements, forcing greater dependence on thermal power, which is itself experiencing reliability issues.
“The drought has really affected us and the impact is high,” Moyo said. “Lake Kariba is a very critical asset in the power production process because it is the area where we are able to balance supply.”
New Measures to Alleviate Power Shortages
As part of a broader strategy to alleviate the impact of power shortages, the government has asked ferrochrome smelting companies to start generating their own electricity. This measure, aimed for completion by the end of 2025, is expected to reduce the pressure on the national grid and help maintain power supply stability, especially in regions that cannot produce their own energy.
“If ferrochrome smelters develop their own generation, they will be able to supply themselves by the end of 2025,” Moyo said. The expectation is that by removing these industrial loads from the main grid, more power will be available for other consumers, helping to reduce load shedding at peak times.
Prospects for a Stable Power Supply
As the holiday season approaches, Zimbabweans should prepare for a challenging period regarding electricity availability. Between the outdated infrastructure at Hwange, weather-related risks to the power grid, and water shortages at Kariba, the country’s energy supply faces unprecedented pressure. While long-term projects such as the repowering of Hwange units and ferrochrome self-generation hold promise, they are unlikely to offer immediate relief.
In the meantime, the government’s strategy of faster response to outages and upcoming infrastructure projects may offer some hope for a more stable energy future. However, immediate stability remains elusive as the nation navigates an energy landscape increasingly impacted by both natural forces and infrastructural wear.
