daniel chigunwe
Business Writer
Zimbabwe’s electricity generation showed remarkable growth in the third quarter of 2024, as detailed in the latest report from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat).
According to the agency, “The Index of Electricity Generation for the third quarter of 2024 was 105.8, reflecting a quarter-on-quarter increase of 4,2 percent from 101.5 in the second quarter of 2024, and a year-on-year increase of 4,5 percent compared to 101,2 recorded in the third quarter of 2023.”
The report highlights significant contributions from key power stations. “Hwange Power Station generated 2 075.7 GWh of electricity, representing 77,8 percent of the total electricity generated during the third quarter of 2024,” ZimStat stated.
This was followed by Kariba Power Station, which contributed 495.8 GWh, accounting for 18,6 percent of the total. Independent Power Producers (IPPs) also played a role, generating 3,6 percent of the total electricity.
ZimStats said the data underscores a sustained upward trend in electricity production.
“This marks a continuation of growth in electricity generation, reflecting improvements in operational efficiency and capacity utilization at major power stations,” the agency explained.
The increase in electricity generation aligns with rising demand from various sectors. ZimStat’s analysis shows that distributed electricity volumes reached 2 279.5 GWh in the third quarter, a 6,7 percent rise compared to the previous quarter.
This distribution included 34,7 percent consumed by the manufacturing, transport, and construction sectors, 18,1 percent by mining and quarrying, and 21,1 percent by domestic consumers.
“A total of 611.1 GWh of electricity was imported during the third quarter of 2024, an 18,6 percent increase from 515.4 GWh in the second quarter,” ZimStat revealed.
Meanwhile, exports surged dramatically, with 420.2 GWh exported, a 301,2 percent increase from 104.7 GWh in the previous quarter.
This growth in electricity generation is a critical indicator of Zimbabwe’s economic recovery and industrial activity. “The consistent rise in the Index of Electricity Generation reflects a robust energy sector capable of supporting the nation’s developmental goals,” ZimStat concluded.
Zimbabwe’s electricity generation in the third quarter of 2024 complements the broader economic growth, particularly in the mining sector, as highlighted in the Index of Mineral Production (IMP).
According to ZimStat, the IMP for the third quarter stood at 169.2, reflecting a 20,1 percent year-on-year increase compared to 139.9 in the same quarter of 2023. The quarter-on-quarter growth was 5,9 percent, driven by strong outputs in key minerals.
Coal production, a critical input for thermal electricity generation, recorded an output index of 410.5, marking a 26,3 percent increase year-on-year. This robust performance underscores coal’s essential role in fuelling Zimbabwe’s power stations, particularly Hwange, which contributed 77,8 percent of the nation’s electricity generation in the third quarter of 2024.
As Zimbabwe ramps up both mineral and energy production, the synergy between these sectors is pivotal. Enhanced coal output not only supports energy security but also drives industrial expansion, reinforcing the country’s developmental goals.
The focus also remains on optimizing the contributions of both traditional and renewable energy sources. The third quarter results highlight the pivotal role of Hwange and Kariba power stations, but also suggest opportunities for expanding the share of IPPs in the energy mix.
Bongani Ndlovu