Zimbabwe’s load shedding woes worsen amid low dam levels

Power woes are worsening in Zimbabwe amid low dam levels in the main Kariba hydro dam.

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The landlocked country implemented stage two load-shedding last week which saw some areas experiencing 16 hours powercuts and some supermarkets short on Candles supply.

On Tuesday, Energy Minister Fortune Chasi, at a post-cabinet briefing said locals owed the state power company more than a billion dollars in unpaid bills.

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Attributing factors to the crisis are Zimbabwe’s hydro-power generation depression due to falling water levels at Lake Kariba and breakdowns at the Hwange Thermal power station.

Zambezi River Authority expresse that Lake Kariba water levels were down to just 29% raising the chances of the station shutting down within weeks.

Earlier in May, the station was already operating at half capacity. It was set to reduce generation further to 358 MW from 542 MW, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) said in a statement.

As Zimbabwe enters its peak winter power demand season, ZETDC told companies and private households to reduce electricity consumption, especially during periods of high demand.

Multiple reports state that the Power cuts would hit the mining sector — which contributes more than two-thirds of Zimbabwe’s export earnings — hardest, adding to difficulties in a country already grappling with a lack of U.S. dollars, soaring prices and shortages of fuel, food and medicines.

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