ACID WATER Meltdown! Power crisis as Hwange Station chokes

B-Metro Reporter

HWANGE Power Station came to a grinding halt on Sunday, 4 MAY 2025, after acidic water corroded vital equipment.

According to a Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) update, the water treatment plant malfunctioned, contaminating boiler systems and leading to massive tube leaks across multiple units.

“All units were affected. The entire station had to be taken offline in an emergency shutdown,” the update reads.
Emergency repairs are underway, with Unit 1 expected back online by the early hours of Wednesday, 7 May. ZPC engineers are racing against time, aiming to bring all five damaged units back into operation by Friday, 9 May.

But that’s not all—disaster also struck Harare’s Highfield Substation the same day at 8‰PM when a fire gutted key infrastructure, crippling power distribution to major areas.

The blaze disrupted electricity supply to large swathes of the capital, including Southerton, Workington, Mbare, Highfield, and Waterfalls. Makeshift load reconfigurations are being implemented, with some success.
But as of now, Glen Norah, parts of Willowvale Industrial, and New Ardbenie remain in the dark.

“The situation is fluid,” ZPC added. “Further updates will follow as restoration efforts continue”.
B-Metro will keep you posted!