Zimbabwe Energy Minister Grilled Over Ongoing Power Blackouts Amid Low Generation Capacity
Zimbabwe's Energy Minister Zhemu Soda faced intense questioning from lawmakers over ongoing power blackouts, with the Zimbabwe Power Company generating only 352 megawatts against a peak demand of 2000 megawatts. The crisis has been exacerbated by aging infrastructure and low water levels at the Kariba South hydroelectric plant, prompting the government to seek loan assistance to improve the situation. Legislators highlighted the detrimental effects of frequent outages on both industries and households.
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Zimbabwe Energy Minister Zhemu Soda faced scrutiny from legislators regarding persistent power blackouts, with the Zimbabwe Power Company reporting a generation of only 352 megawatts against a peak demand of 2000 megawatts. The Kariba South hydroelectric plant produced 280 megawatts, while the Hwange Thermal Power Station generated 72 megawatts.
Additionally, no output came from smaller power stations, and the utility imported 460 megawatts. MP Amos Chibaya highlighted the adverse impact of outages on industries and households, noting electricity cuts occurring at night.
Soda attributed the crisis to aging equipment at Hwange and indicated the government is seeking a loan facility to address power shortages. The Speaker of the National Assembly called for a detailed ministerial statement on the situation, which has worsened since the Zimbabwe River Authority halted operations at Kariba South due to low water levels.
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