- Hwange Unit 7 (300 MW) will undergo Class B maintenance from March 2 to March 29
- Unit 6 will be offline for statutory maintenance from March 15 to May 14
- Total loss of 450 MW from the national grid, exacerbating existing power challenges
- Average electricity production expected to decrease from 1200 MW to around 700-800 MW unless Kariba water levels improve
Harare-Zimbabwe, as the nation braces for widespread power outages as two vital units at Hwange Power Station are set for Class B maintenance and statutory maintenance between March and May.
This follows the recent completion of a Class C maintenance program for Hwange Unit 8 in January 2025.
‘’This is being carried out to ensure readiness for increased generation during the peak winter season,’’ read the statement.
Hwange’s Unit 7 which provides 300 MW to the national grid is scheduled for Class B maintenance from the 2nd of March to the 29th of March taking off a significant portion from the grid, while Unit 6 will be offline for statutory maintenance from March 15 to May 14.
In total, this will take 450 MW from the national grid, exacerbating power challenges. This means from around 1200 MW produced since the start of the year on average, this will decrease significantly to an average of around 700-800 MW, unless Kariba water levels continues to improve significantly.
In the meantime, Kariba is producing 185 MW against a potential of 1050 MW.
Zimbabwe’s peak demand is around 2000 MW, while mining alone consumes over 2000 MW.
The remaining units at Hwange provides under 700 megawatts, while Independent Power Producers contribute roughly 80 megawatts to the grid.
Zimbabwe has grappled with electricity generation challenges for decades, largely due to outdated systems at both hydroelectric and thermal power plants, and heavy investments in mining and the manufacturing sectors.
To alleviate these issues, the government is planning to refurbish older generating units at the coal-powered Hwange Power Station in 2025 (this year), aiming to boost efficiency to around 40% and increase capacity by 400 megawatts.
There are plans to construct a new 720-megawatt coal plant.
Zimbabwe is rich in a variety of natural resources capable of providing electricity for centuries but funding remains the key challenge.
One of the most notable is coal, with estimated reserves of 12 billion metric tonnes while coal bed methane, estimated at 40 trillion cubic feet (TCF). This type of natural gas, extracted from coal deposits, can be utilised for electricity generation, industrial applications, and as transportation fuel.
Zimbabwe also benefits from abundant solar radiation, averaging 20 MJ/m², making it an ideal site for solar energy production. Solar energy can be captured through photovoltaic panels or solar thermal systems, supplying power to homes, businesses, and industries.
Another available resource is bagasse, a by-product of sugarcane production, with estimated reserves of 1.5 million tonnes.
Zimbabwe has significant uranium deposits that can be utilised for nuclear energy generation. Uranium is a zero-carbon energy source capable of providing baseload power, while the country has considerable wind energy potential, especially in the eastern and southern regions, where wind turbines can be employed to generate electricity.
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