By Patience Gondo
Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Holdings has increased electricity generation at Kariba Power Station to help offset a temporary reduction in national supply following the shutdown of Hwange Power Station Unit 8 for scheduled annual Class B maintenance.
In a statement on Tuesday, ZESA said Hwange Unit 8 has been taken offline to undergo its statutory servicing programme and is expected to return to service on 20 December 2025.
The shutdown has reduced thermal output from Hwange, prompting balancing measures on the national grid.
To cushion the supply gap during the maintenance period, ZESA said Kariba Power Station had increased generation.
Kariba, which is Zimbabwe’s main hydroelectric power station located on the Zambezi River, remains a key component of the country’s electricity mix alongside thermal generation from Hwange.
The two stations are historically used to complement each other, especially during maintenance cycles or
ZESA said Hwange Unit 7 will remain in operation, producing about 300 megawatts to support system stability until Unit 8 is brought back online.
Hwange Power Station, Zimbabwe’s largest thermal plant, operates multiple coal-powered units that require periodic shutdowns for mechanical inspections and statutory servicing to maintain safe operational standards.
ZESA further said Unit 3 at Hwange has been fully returned to service after successfully completing a 44-day statutory maintenance programme, passing all regulatory tests and being reconnected to the national grid.
This return is intended to support available output as the utility manages planned maintenance cycles.
ZESA also said it recognised the operational impact caused by temporarily reduced supply capacity.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that may arise during this period and appreciate your continued understanding and support as we work to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the national power supply” ZESA said.