ZESA has announced a major maintenance programme at Hwange Power Station, temporarily taking two generating units offline.
The planned shutdown will affect Units 7 and 8, which supply electricity to Zimbabwe’s national grid.
In a notice dated 12 November, the power utility outlined the maintenance schedule. The exercise will start on 15 November 2026.
Unit 7 is expected to resume operations on 4 January 2027. Meanwhile, Unit 8 should return to service on 26 January 2027.
The programme will temporarily reduce electricity generation at the country’s largest coal-fired power station. However, ZESA says the work will help prevent unexpected breakdowns.
ZESA explains why Hwange units are going offline
The utility says the shutdown forms part of its long-term strategy to maintain generating equipment.
ZESA believes the scheduled work will improve operational efficiency and strengthen electricity generation reliability.
“The maintenance programme forms part of the utility’s routine asset management strategy aimed at sustaining plant performance, improving operational reliability and ensuring the continued availability of generating units for the national grid,” ZESA said.
Although the shutdown will reduce available generating capacity, the utility says consumers should not expect major disruptions.
How ZESA plans to maintain electricity supplies
ZESA says it has activated several measures to compensate for the temporary loss of generation at Hwange.
Kariba Power Station will provide additional electricity during periods of peak demand. Furthermore, Zimbabwe will rely on imports from the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
The utility also plans to increase electricity purchases from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). These arrangements will help supplement locally generated power.
Additionally, ZESA says new solar projects will contribute more electricity as renewable energy development continues.
“To ensure stable power supplies during the period, ZESA Private Limited has put in place several measures to mitigate the temporary reduction in generation capacity,” the notice said.
The utility also expects lower seasonal electricity demand to ease pressure on the national grid.
Nevertheless, the maintenance programme will test Zimbabwe’s ability to balance domestic generation and electricity imports.
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