Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), the power generating arm of Zesa Holdings, is working round the clock to restore electricity supply following two major incidents that hit the nation’s power infrastructure on Sunday.
Engineers and technicians have since been deployed nationwide in a co-ordinated effort to stabilise the grid and bring relief to affected communities.
The first incident occurred at Hwange Power Station, the country’s largest thermal power plant, which lost Unit 2 due to a boiler tube leak.
At the same time, abnormal water chemistry was detected, pointing to acidic contamination within the system.
“The water treatment plant was immediately identified as the source,” ZPC said in a statement.
“Our teams acted swiftly to isolate the affected systems and flush out the contaminants. Water supply has since been stabilised to support plant operations.”
Despite the setback, ZPC engineers wasted no time initiating repairs.
Units 1 and 2, which sustained significant tube damage, are currently undergoing restoration, while pressure testing continues on Units 3, 4 and 6.
According to ZPC, Unit 1 was expected to be back online by the early hours of today (Wednesday May 7), with the remaining affected units targeted for full recovery by Friday, May 9.
“Hwange is a key part of the national grid, and our personnel have been working tirelessly, day and night, to get it back to full capacity,” the company said.
However, as restoration work intensified in Hwange, there was another development.
A fire engulfed Highfield Substation in Harare around 8pm on Sunday, damaging a 20MVA transformer, key circuit breakers, current transformers and essential control cables.
The incident disrupted power to several areas, including Southerton, Workington, Willowvale, Highfield, Glen Norah and parts of Mbare.
Undeterred, ZPC and ZETDC teams immediately launched emergency response operations. Power rerouting and load reconfiguration were swiftly implemented.
Workington is now being temporarily backfed from Kambuzuma, while Willowvale is receiving power through Parkridge via Glen View. A transformer is being relocated from Hatgates to replace the one lost in the fire.
By Monday evening, Beatrice substation had been successfully restored, bringing electricity back to Old Ardbennie, Waterfalls, Mbare and parts of Southerton.
Field crews continue to work in affected zones, with repairs to control cables and other infrastructure underway.
“We understand the frustration caused by these disruptions,” ZPC said.
“Our dedicated teams are making every effort, sparing no resource or hour, to restore power safely and efficiently. Every step is being taken with urgency.”
The two developments have placed immense pressure on Zimbabwe’s power infrastructure, but ZPC said the incidents have also showcased the resilience and commitment of its technical workforce.
