NEW: Major improvement in power supply as generation rises

Harmony Agere

THE country has recorded a boost in electricity supply this week as output from Hwange and Kariba power stations has significantly improved.

As of Friday, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) was generating 1 622 megawatts(MW).

According to ZPC’s daily power generation statistics (March 28, 2025), Hwange remains the top producer, generating 1 066 MW, followed by Kariba at 485 MW, while independent power producers (IPPs) contributed 71 MW.

The growing contribution of IPPs is particularly noteworthy as their contribution now exceeds 70 MW.

Experts predict that this figure will rise in the near future, given the increasing number of licences granted to private power producers.

The surge in electricity production marks a major milestone for ZPC, which has struggled in recent times due to low water levels at Kariba Dam and maintenance work on Hwange Units 7 and 8.

A survey conducted by The Sunday Mail Online indicates that many suburbs have enjoyed improved electricity supply in recent days, with some areas experiencing uninterrupted supply for up to three days.

Zesa chairperson Dr Sydney Gata recently said the company aims to achieve electricity self-sufficiency by 2028.

As part of this goal, Zesa plans to commission at least six new power plants this year, which will collectively add 1 000 MW to the national grid.

ZESA has set a target of generating 2 690 MW by 2029.