ZESA Gives Update on Hwange Power Station Following Extensive Load-shedding
Zimbabwe’s major electricity provider, ZESA Holdings, has provided an update on the power supply situation following widespread power cuts on Wednesday.
ZESA reported a significant disturbance in the power grid, leading to widespread power outages due to a shutdown at Hwange Power Station.
The power outage, which started at 9:38 AM, prompted ZESA to implement extensive load shedding that impacted numerous businesses and residences nationwide.
ZESA Provides Update on Hwange Power Station
In a statement on Thursday morning, ZESA gave an update on the power supply situation in light of the disturbance at Hwange Power Station. In the statement, ZESA said most of the units at the thermal power station were up and running. The power supplier said this will result in improved electricity supply across affected areas.
“Further to our earlier notice about the system disturbance on the national grid, ZESA Holdings would like to advise its valued stakeholders that most of the units at Hwange Power Station have been restored to service. This will result in an improvement on the magnitude of load curtailment. We would like to thank our valued stakeholders for their patience. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused,” ZESA said in a statement.
CURRENT POWER GENERATION SITUATION
Before the disturbance, Hwange Power Station was producing 774 megawatts while Kariba Hydroelectric was producing 300 megawatts with independent producers contributing 31 megawatts to the national grid. At the moment, Hwange Power Station is pivotal for Zimbabwe’s electricity generation as Kariba’s power output has been restricted to 214 megawatts.
Kariba Power Output Limited to 214MW
The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has set the average electricity generation for Kariba Power Station at 214 megawatts until the end of this month to low water levels in Kariba Dam. ZRA will reassess the situation based on the water levels, which are expected to hit record lows this year.
Zimbabwe requires 2,200 megawatts per day, a demand that surpasses the current supply.
