Brace for darker days

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

Zimbabweans are facing the prospect of significantly worsened power cuts from tomorrow, as the national power utility, ZESA Holdings, announced extensive maintenance schedules at the Hwange Power Station. The planned outages, set to stretch over several weeks, are expected to place immense strain on the already fragile electricity grid.

ZESA Holdings issued a public notice, informing stakeholders that Hwange Unit 7 will undergo a scheduled Class B maintenance from March 2 to 29, 2025. This follows the completion of Class C maintenance on Hwange Unit 8 in January 2025.

Adding to the impending power woes, Hwange Power Station Unit 6 will be taken offline for statutory maintenance from March 15 to May 14, 2025. ZESA claims that these maintenance activities are crucial to ensure the power station's readiness for increased generation during the peak winter season.

Despite the inevitable disruptions, ZESA has attempted to reassure the nation, stating, "We would like to assure the nation that various strategies have been put in place to ensure stable supply during the period."

One of the strategies outlined by the power utility involves the careful management of the Kariba Power Station, which primarily operates as a peaking plant. "Kariba Power Station, which is primarily operating as a peaking plant, will be managed carefully to address the periods of low supply caused by these outages," ZESA stated. "The output from Kariba will be adjusted as and when necessary to conserve water for future use, ensuring a balanced and sustainable energy mix."

However, the effectiveness of these strategies remains to be seen. The timing of the maintenance, coinciding with a period of already strained electricity supply, has raised concerns among residents and businesses alike.

The impending intensification of power cuts is expected to have a significant impact on various sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, agriculture, and retail. Businesses reliant on uninterrupted power supply may face substantial losses, while households will endure prolonged periods of darkness.

The announcement has reignited public frustration over the country's persistent power challenges. Zimbabweans have long grappled with rolling blackouts, which have become a recurring feature of daily life.