The Zimbabwean government has assured citizens that the severe power outages affecting the country will ease this weekend with the reactivation of Hwange Unit 7, which was recently closed for maintenance. The return of the unit is expected to increase energy production and provide much-needed relief in the environment of continuous load shedding, which has caused blackouts lasting up to 14 hours a day in some residential areas.

To minimize the economic impact, energy utility ZESA prioritized protecting the industrial sector from long-term outages. But massive power outages have affected Bulawayo’s water supply, disrupting pumps and worsening existing water shortages that have left taps dry for days.

Minister of Energy and Energy Development Edgar Moyo has announced that the Unit 7 outage caused by a serious pipe leak has worsened the country’s energy crisis, which was already strained by low water levels at the Kariba Hydroelectric Power Plant. Minister Moyo emphasized that the repair of Unit 7 would help but would not completely solve Zimbabwe’s energy problems as the country and region face a significant energy deficit.

“Power outages have always been a problem, but the intensity has increased in the last two to three weeks due to the breakdown of Unit 7,” Minister Moyo told the Chronicle. “We are planning to activate it again this weekend between November 2 and November 3. Although power outages will continue, they will not be as intense.”

As the work coincides with the annual industrial shutdown, a planned maintenance program for Unit 7 is planned for December to avoid impacting energy production during the period of peak demand. During this period when demand is low, maintenance will also be carried out at Hwange’s Unit 8. According to simulations by the Zambezi River Authority and the Department of Meteorological Services, electricity production is expected to stabilize by January as incoming water flows increase production in Kariba.

Looking ahead, Zimbabwe is investing in numerous energy projects aimed at meeting the country’s 2,000 MW needs by 2025. Minister Moyo highlighted significant investments, including a new power plant in Hwange that will initially generate 150 MW and expand to 700 MW. Hwange units 1 to 6 will also undergo upgrades led by multinational energy company Jindal, increasing production from 400 MW to 800 MW. Afrochine Smelting, a subsidiary of Dinson Iron and Steel, currently produces 100 MW, with plans to expand contributions from Zimplats and other companies.

“Collectively, these projects will add 2,500 MW by the end of 2025, reducing our dependence on existing power sources,” Minister Moyo said.

To address cost-related issues, Minister Moyo called on industry to adopt energy-efficient technologies, noting that a government study revealed that local industries often use energy-intensive equipment. “The renovation with energy-saving machines will help companies reduce production costs,” he said.

He added that ZESA, which is over $140 million in debt, needs consumers to pay outstanding bills to continue its operations. A particular focus is on farmers, whom ZESA supports with uninterrupted power to secure the country’s food supply throughout the wheat season.

Minister Moyo emphasized the importance of collaborative solutions, saying: “It is vital that both government and industry work together. This is about building a sustainable future where we all contribute to stabilizing the country’s energy supply.”