System disturbance knocks off Hwange Power Station, plunging Zim into darkness

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe’s power utility, Zesa Holdings, has said a system disturbance on the national grid in the morning resulted the loss of generation at the Hwange Thermal Power Station, leading to the bulk of the country being plunged into darkness.

In a statement issued Zesa said the system disturbance has resulted in increased load-shedding across the country.

“Zesa Holdings would like to inform its valued customers that the national grid experienced a system disturbance this morning at 0938 hours, resulting in the loss of generation at the Hwange Power Station.

“This has resulted in increased load curtailment across the country. Our engineers are working flat out to ensure the restoration of service in the shortest possible time.”

Zesa Holdings’ power generating unit, the Zimbabwe Power Company, said that Hwange was generating 774MW, while Kariba was producing 300MW, and IPPs were generating 31MW.

The cumulative power that was being generated was less than 400MW against a peak demand of 2 200MW.