Power utility, Zesa Holdings, has announced that it will implement load shedding outside the official schedule following a breakdown at Hwange Power Station.

“Due to a technical fault at Hwange Power Station, local generation is now depressed,” Fullard Gwasira, the spokesperson of Zesa said in a tweet yesterday, adding that “load shedding is now being implemented outside the published schedule”.

In an interview, Mr Gwasira said two units at the power station broke down yesterday, reducing output by about 200 megawatts.
“We have, however, embarked on a phased restoration of the units but it will take time due to the nature of technology.”

Mr Gwasira
Zimbabwe is largely depending on thermal power from Hwange in light of reduced electricity production at Kariba Power plant due to low water levels at Lake Kariba.

Zimbabwe is experiencing severe power cuts that have seen consumers enduring long periods without electricity.

Business, including industrialists and miners has since raised concerns, warning the rolling power cuts would severely erode viability.

Zesa has since approached the Treasury seeking support to continue optimum production of electricity at its thermal power stations amid rising expenses coal price increases.

Apart from Hwange, Zesa operates three small thermal plants in Harare, Bulawayo and Kwekwe.State media