Zimbabwe Power Disruptions: Minister July Moyo Updates on Hwange and Highfield Repairs
HARARE —Energy Minister July Moyo has provided an update on Zimbabwe’s ongoing power supply challenges, addressing the disruptions at Hwange Power Station and Highfield substation.
Thousands have been affected by the outages, prompting active restoration efforts by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA).
The minister clarified that the Hwange shutdown and Highfield fire were unrelated but occurred around the same time, raising concerns over Zimbabwe’s electricity infrastructure.
During a press briefing yesterday, Moyo assured the nation that ZESA engineers were working urgently to resolve both issues, promising full restoration at Highfield by Wednesday night.
The Highfield substation fire, which cut electricity to surrounding areas, was caused by a worsening cable fault, according to Engineer Abel Gurupira, Acting Managing Director of ZETDC.
He explained that an 11kV cable initially failed days earlier, leading to temporary repairs. However, it later malfunctioned again, spreading to a transformer and causing a fire.
Gurupira stated, “Although one transformer was destroyed, the second transformer remains operational, helping to accelerate restoration efforts.”
Meanwhile, Hwange Power Station faced a separate issue, forcing ZESA to shut down five operational units to prevent further complications.
Minister Moyo defended the decision, stating, “We faced two separate incidents affecting Zimbabwe’s electricity supply. At Hwange, ZESA shut down five generating units to ensure safety while repairs are underway.”
The incidents have reignited concerns over Zimbabwe’s aging electricity infrastructure, with Minister Moyo emphasizing the need for long-term investment.
“If anything, these disruptions highlight the necessity of upgrading power stations, supply chains, and distribution lines,” he remarked.
According to iHarare, the outages have intensified public frustration, with affected residents demanding greater transparency on Zimbabwe’s energy security.
Meanwhile, Pindula News reported that ZESA Holdings secured a US$350 million joint venture with Jindal Africa Investments to refurbish six units at Hwange Power Station.
The project is expected to add 400MW to the national grid, easing future shortages.
Authorities, including ZESA and the Ministry of Energy, have pledged to fast-track infrastructure upgrades to stabilize Zimbabwe’s electricity supply and prevent recurring disruptions.
