Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
ZIMBABWE achieved a milestone in its energy sector during the second quarter of 2025, generating a total of 2 858,3 gigawatt-hours (GWh), the highest level of electricity generation in six years, significantly reducing the country’s reliance on imported power.
The development saw the total volume of electricity supplied to consumers across the country, rising to 2 150,7 GWh, an increase of 10.9 percent from the 1 938,5 GWh distributed in the first quarter of 2025.
According to the latest report released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), the Index of Electricity Generation (IEG) for the period April to June 2025 reached 114,6, reflecting a substantial quarterly increase of 18.2 percent from the first quarter’s 97,0.
The report highlights that the surge in domestic production also resulted in an 11,7 percent year-on-year increase compared to the 102,6 recorded in the same quarter of 2024.
“The Index of Electricity Generation for the second quarter 2025 was 114,6, reflecting a quarter-on-quarter percentage increase of 18,2,” reads the report.
This underlines the positive momentum in the country’s energy output.
A total of 2 858,3 GWh of electricity was generated during the quarter, with Hwange Thermal Power Station leading the contribution at 68,1 percent, equivalent to 1 945,6 GWh.
Kariba Power Station followed, accounting for 27,5 percent of the total output, while Independent Power Producers (IPPs) contributed the remaining 4,4 percent.
This robust performance marks a major step towards energy self-sufficiency for Zimbabwe, which has historically depended on imports to bridge its power deficit.
“The increase in local generation had a direct and pronounced impact on electricity imports, which fell sharply during the quarter,” reads the report.
ZimStat reported that only 261,7 GWh were imported in Q2 2025, a decrease of 14,3 percent from the 305,5 GWh imported in the previous quarter.
“Furthermore, the year-on-year comparison revealed a dramatic decline of 49,2 percent from the 515,4 GWh imported in the second quarter of 2024,” reads the report.
The report read that nearly half of the imported electricity (48 percent) was sourced from Mozambican hydro-power generation company, Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric Plant (HCB) while the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) under the Southern African Power Pool (Sapp) and Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM) contributed 22 percent and 12 percent, respectively.
The notable reduction in imports highlights the success of recent investments and operational improvements in local power generation infrastructure.
“Meanwhile, electricity exports also saw a shift, declining by 24,6 percent to 266,7 GWh in the second quarter of 2025 from 353,6 GWh in the preceding quarter. The Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) remained the largest recipient, accounting for 63.6 percent of exports, followed by Namibia’s NamPower at 20,1 percent,” reads the report.
On the distribution front, the total volume of electricity supplied to consumers in Zimbabwe rose to 2 150,7 GWh, an increase of 10,9 percent from the 1 938,5 GWh distributed in the first quarter of 2025.
“The industrial sector, comprising manufacturing, transport, and construction, was the largest consumer, using 683,4 GWh or 31,8 percent of the total. Mining and quarrying followed with 478,7 GWh (22,3 percent), while domestic customers used 445,8 GWh (20,7 percent),” reads the report.
ZimStat said the construction of the IEG is based on administrative data provided by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) and follows international standards, including the Laspeyres index formula with the first quarter of 2019 as the base period.
This methodological rigour ensures that the index accurately reflects trends in the country’s electricity production over time.
The record-breaking generation levels in the second quarter of 2025 mark a positive turnaround for the country’s energy sector, which has faced challenges related to aging infrastructure and variable rainfall affecting hydroelectric output.
The data suggests that strategic enhancements and favourable operational conditions are beginning to yield tangible benefits, reducing the nation’s dependency on external power sources.
