Sundaymail Editor
Debra Matabvu
Chief Reporter
POWER GENERATION and supplies have recently significantly improved following increased water allocation by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) and the ramp-up of output at Hwange Power Station, a development that is likely to boost prospects for winter wheat production and the country’s general economic outlook, it has been learnt.
ZRA manages the water body on behalf of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Power generation at Kariba, which was severely affected by low water levels last year, has since risen from about 185 megawatts (MW) to 485MW.
This boost comes on the back of an increase in water levels due to normal to above-normal rainfall experienced during the 2024/2025 rainy season.
By the end of last week, power supplies had grown to more than 1 500MW, with output topping 1 622MW on Friday.
Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo told The Sunday Mail that supplies might further improve in the coming months.
“We received an increase in water allocation for both Zimbabwe and Zambia. This has significantly enhanced our power generation,” he said.
ZRA recently allocated 27 billion cubic metres of water for power generation this year, representing a marked increase from 16 billion cubic metres allocated a year earlier.
Minister Moyo also said Unit 7 at Hwange, which was undergoing routine maintenance, is expected to return to the grid “in the next few days”.
Additionally, starting in April, some independent power producers (IPPs), including Chiredzi Green Fuel, will be feeding the national grid.
IPPs are presently contributing 71MW.
Zimbabwe has struggled with power shortages in recent years, exacerbated by droughts linked to El Niño and the refurbishment of old units at Hwange.
However, two new units — 7 and 8 — have led to a substantial improvement in generation capacity. The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) is currently refurbishing six units at Hwange, funded by the Export-Import Bank of India. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase local power generation, which is expected to reduce reliance on electricity imports, ease power cuts and drive industrial production.
Over the past few weeks, power supplies have relatively improved.
Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) executive 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 000MW to the national grid.
Overall, it targets to generate 2 690MW by 2029. In the 2025 National Budget, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube premised this year’s economic growth, projected at 6 percent, on both increased agricultural production and power supplies.
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