Zimbabwe is grappling with a worsening electricity crisis as prolonged droughts and aging infrastructure strain the country’s power generation capacity. The country’s main energy source hydropower from Kariba Dam has been severely affected by low water levels, leading to intensified load shedding and increased reliance on coal and electricity imports.
Climatic shifts
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power Development, in its latest report, warned that without urgent investment in alternative energy sources, the situation will continue to deteriorate.
ZESA management cited that as a result of climatic shifts, water levels at Kariba South Power Station (KSPS) have been dramatically reduced, significantly affecting electricity generation. The dam, which is Zimbabwe’s largest hydropower facility, has seen its water allocation cut to eight billion cubic meters, resulting in just 250 megawatts (MW) of output, far below its installed capacity of 1,050MW. This decline suggests that the country’s power generation will continue to shrink as water levels fall.
Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Holdings added that the country’s total electricity demand ranges between 1,500MW and 2,350MW, but current generation stands at just 1,079MW, forcing Zimbabwe to import power from neighboring nations like Namibia to minimize shortages.
Coal: A Costly and Polluting Alternative
To bridge the power deficit, the government has leaned heavily on Hwange Power Station, which has a capacity of 1,520MW but is currently producing only 750MW due to maintenance challenges. However, coal remains a controversial solution.
“We acknowledge that coal is a critical energy source, but it comes with financial and environmental costs,” said Hon Vincent Sihlabo, Chairperson of the Energy and Power Development Committee. “Zimbabwe must urgently invest in sustainable alternatives to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.”
Global financing restrictions on coal projects have also made it difficult for Zimbabwe to expand its thermal power generation, prompting calls for a faster transition to renewable energy.
The Case for Renewable Energy
Despite Zimbabwe’s abundant solar and wind resources, renewable energy contributes less than 70MW to the national grid, primarily from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The committee noted that IPPs face numerous challenges, including high capital costs, policy barriers, and difficulties accessing the national grid.
“Zimbabwe has the potential to generate thousands of megawatts from renewable sources like solar and wind,” said a ZPC official. “What we need is a more supportive regulatory environment and better incentives for investors.”
The committee recommended urgent reforms, including fast-tracking renewable energy policies to attract investment, developing energy storage solutions to ensure solar and wind power reliability, and reducing dependence on Kariba by diversifying energy sources.
With climate change continuing to affect rainfall patterns in Southern Africa, experts warn that Zimbabwe’s energy security depends on how quickly the country transitions to a more climate-resilient energy system.
“We need a long-term strategy,” Hon. Sihlabo emphasized. “Otherwise, we will keep finding ourselves in this cycle of power shortages.”