Otis Singleton
Zimbabwe is facing an ongoing electricity crisis, with regular blackouts and brownouts impacting the daily lives of its citizens and hindering economic growth. The country relies primarily on coal and hydroelectric power plants for electricity generation, but the current infrastructure is insufficient to meet the demand. Zimbabwe's power generation capacity falls short of what is needed to support existing industries and households, leading to a reliance on electricity imports from neighbouring countries like Zambia and Mozambique. The country has significant potential for renewable energy sources, such as solar power and wind turbine farms, but the economic situation poses challenges to realising this potential.
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What You'll Learn
Zimbabwe's electricity crisis
Zimbabwe has been facing an electricity crisis for over two decades. The country suffers from significant power deficits, with demand outstripping supply. In 2020, the available generation capacity was 1,585 MW, while peak demand was 1,900 MW, resulting in power outages of 12-14 hours a day. The government has taken steps to address this issue by commissioning an additional 600 MW at the Hwange power station in 2023, but the installed capacity is still insufficient to meet the growing demand.
The electricity crisis has had a detrimental impact on Zimbabwe's economy, particularly in the mining, agriculture, and agro-processing sectors. The power shortages are estimated to cost the country 6.1% of its GDP per year. Additionally, only about one-fifth to one-seventh of citizens have access to a reliable electricity supply, with rural residents being the most affected. The government's efforts to provide a stable electricity supply have been met with criticism and dissatisfaction from the citizens.
Zimbabwe's electricity sector relies on various sources, including hydropower, coal, and renewable energy sources such as solar power. The Kariba Dam power station and the Hwange Thermal Power Station are major contributors to the country's electricity generation. However, coal-fired stations are in need of major upgrades due to neglect of maintenance, leading to frequent production stops and prolonged blackouts.
To mitigate the electricity crisis, the government has set aside funds for investment in power generation, transmission, and distribution. They have also committed to generating 1,100 megawatts of power from renewable sources by 2025 and 2,100 megawatts by 2030. The Batoka Gorge Project along the border with Zambia and the Devil's Gorge project are planned to increase electricity supply significantly, but financing these expansions remains a challenge.
While Zimbabwe has made some progress in addressing its electricity crisis, achieving universal access and stable electricity supply by 2030 will require substantial investments in solar power and grid expansion. The government's goal of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030 hinges on ensuring reliable and adequate electricity access, and the current crisis continues to hinder the country's economic growth and development.
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Power generation sources
Zimbabwe has an installed power generation capacity of 2,800 MW, which falls short of the 5,000 MW required to meet the needs of its industries and households. The country's electricity is primarily generated through coal and hydropower plants, with Chinese firms dominating the market. However, the coal-fired power stations are in a state of disrepair, requiring major upgrades and frequent maintenance, which has led to long-lasting blackouts. Zimbabwe's main hydropower plant, the Kariba Dam, and the Hwange coal-fired power station operate at one-third of their capacity due to ageing equipment and low water levels.
The country has significant coal deposits, estimated at 30 billion tons in 21 known deposits, which could last for over a century at the 2001 rate of production. There are also ongoing explorations for oil and gas deposits in Muzarabani. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for solar power in Zimbabwe, and the nation has the ideal climate for solar power generation. A project in partnership with the United Arab Emirates aims to construct a 2,000 MW solar power plant in two phases, which, if completed, would be the largest in the world.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) is the governmental body responsible for power generation and distribution in the country. Zimbabwe is also a member of the Southern African Power Pool and imports electricity from neighbouring countries like Zambia and Mozambique to address its shortage. However, imports alone cannot solve the undercapacity problem, and the lack of electricity hampers economic growth. To mitigate this, a second interconnector with South Africa is in the advanced planning stages, which will form part of a 935 km project across Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
In addition to solar and hydropower, there is potential for biogas capture and distribution in Zimbabwe, which could help reduce fuelwood consumption for cooking. The country also owns a pipeline from the Mozambique port of Beira to Mutare, which provides the majority of its refined petroleum and diesel oil, with the remainder imported from South Africa. An ambitious project to produce 20% of the country's liquid fuel as ethanol from cane has also been initiated in Chipinge, Manicaland.
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Power imports
Zimbabwe has a total combined capacity of 2,240 megawatts (MW) from one hydropower plant and four coal-fired generators. However, the country faces a power deficit due to the poor condition of its coal-fired power stations. Zimbabwe's electricity production capacity is insufficient to meet the current consumption levels, leading to frequent and prolonged blackouts.
To address this issue, Zimbabwe imports electricity from neighbouring countries. In 2016, the country imported 2,220,000 MWh of electricity, covering 31.19% of its annual consumption needs. However, the imports are not enough to solve the undercapacity problem, and the lack of electricity hinders Zimbabwe's economic growth. As a member of the Southern African Power Pool, Zimbabwe is planning to construct a second interconnector with South Africa as part of the 935 km project across Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
Zimbabwe's ongoing power crisis and growing demand for solar power present opportunities for international companies to invest in renewable energy infrastructure. The country has a thriving solar power industry, with over a dozen companies providing solar power systems for residences and commercial enterprises. Additionally, a project in partnership with the United Arab Emirates aims to build the world's largest solar power plant with a capacity of 2,000 MW.
Zimbabwe also has plans for the Batoka Gorge hydroelectric power plant, a $4.5 billion project expected to generate 2,400 MW shared equally between Zambia and Zimbabwe. However, this project has been on hold since April 2021. The country's abundant coal reserves and potential for hydropower and biogas capture offer further opportunities for energy development.
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Power distribution
Zimbabwe's power generation and distribution are the sole responsibility of the state-owned Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). The country's power supply comes from coal and hydroelectric power plants, with Chinese firms dominating the market. Zimbabwe has one hydropower plant and four coal-fired generators, with a total combined capacity of 2,240 megawatts (MW). The Hwange Thermal Power Plant is the largest thermal facility in Zimbabwe, with a capacity of about 750 MW but currently only producing 220 MW of power. The country's installed power generation capacity of 2,800 MW falls short of the 5,000 MW needed to fully support existing industry and households. As a result, Zimbabwe imports electricity from Zambia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The country's electricity production capacity is too low for its consumption, leading to frequent and long-lasting blackouts. The government has called on major mining companies and other large electricity consumers to reduce consumption by up to 25%. ZESA has also advised that it is investigating the possible deployment of emergency diesel generator plants, but this would result in increased price tariffs for consumers.
Zimbabwe has significant potential for renewable energy sources. Solar power has enormous potential for both small- and large-scale applications, with over a dozen companies providing solar power systems for residences and commercial enterprises. However, the nation's economic condition makes rapid solar power development seem unrealistic without capital infusions and technology transfers from developed economies. Wind turbine farms and biogas capture are also possible avenues for renewable energy infrastructure development.
In the long term, the government has announced contracts with Chinese companies to revamp the Kariba hydropower station and the Hwange thermal power station to bridge the supply and demand gap. The government is also considering other renewable energy sources, with medium- to long-term plans to set up solar-powered electricity generation. Additionally, in 2013, a Chinese-backed company announced plans to develop a 600 MW coal-fired electricity plant in western Zimbabwe, as part of $2 billion worth of energy projects in the country.
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Plug types
If you're planning a trip to Zimbabwe, it's important to know which plug types you'll need for your electrical devices. The power sockets in Zimbabwe are of two types: Type D and Type G. Let's explore these plug types in more detail:
Plug Type D
Plug type D has three round pins arranged in a triangular pattern. This type of plug is commonly used in various countries, and it is one of the two types that you may encounter in Zimbabwe. If your device has a different plug type, you may need to use a suitable travel adapter that allows you to connect your device to the local power outlet.
Plug Type G
Plug type G, on the other hand, has three rectangular pins arranged in a triangular pattern. This plug type is also used in other parts of the world. Similar to Type D, if your device uses a different plug, you will need a travel adapter to be able to connect it to the power outlets in Zimbabwe.
Voltage Considerations
In addition to the plug types, it's crucial to consider the voltage requirements of your devices. Zimbabwe operates on a 220V to 240V supply voltage at a frequency of 50Hz. If your electrical appliance is single voltage and designed for a different voltage, you may need to use a voltage converter or transformer to safely use your device in Zimbabwe.
USB Devices
If you're travelling with USB devices such as mobile phones or tablets, you can use a USB travel power adapter. However, ensure that it has a Type G adapter to fit the power outlets in Zimbabwe. Alternatively, you can use a suitable plug adapter along with the USB power adapter.
Where to Buy Adapters and Converters
You can purchase travel adapters and voltage converters before your trip through online retailers like Amazon or eBay. Additionally, most major airports usually have travel adapters available for purchase. If you're already in Zimbabwe, you can also find travel adapters locally.
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Frequently asked questions
Coal and hydroelectric power plants provide most of Zimbabwe’s electricity.
The standard voltage in Zimbabwe is 220–240 volts.
The standard frequency in Zimbabwe is 50 Hz.
The standard power sockets in Zimbabwe are type G, the same as in the United Kingdom, with three square pins.
Zimbabwe's main source of electricity is the Kariba Dam power station, a hydroelectric power plant.
