After months of crippling power shortages and heavy load shedding that crippled Zimbabwe’s economy, the country’s electricity supply situation is finally starting to improve.
According to the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), both industry and households are now receiving more power supplies following measures implemented to boost generation.
Total power generation stands at 936MW as the synchronization of Hwange Unit 7 has helped increase output from Hwange Power Station to 250MW. Generation from Kariba South also provides 660MW while Harare contributes 26MW.
Previously, output from Kariba South had been severely restricted after last year’s flood waters were depleted, forcing generation to be cut to just 300MW.
ZESA says power supplies have improved, resulting in reduced load shedding. The electricity supply situation is set to continue improving as more generation comes online at Hwange and preparations are underway to synchronize Hwange Unit 8, which will add 300MW.
Unless unforeseen technical issues arise, the breakthrough in power generation finally offers hope that Zimbabwe’s grinding electricity crisis may at long last be easing. After months of excruciatingly long blackouts and a crippled economy straining under the weight of insufficient power, even the slightest improvement comes as a major relief for hard-hit Zimbabweans.
The synchronization of Hwange Unit 7 appears to have been a turning point that, if expanded upon, could help lift Zimbabwe out of the dark grip of an ongoing power shortage that has brought the country to its knees.
