ZESA Holdings has warned consumers to brace for increased load-shedding outside the publicised schedules, citing a technical fault at Hwange Power Station as the reason.

PRIVILEGE SHOKO
OWN CORRESPONDENT

The power utility yesterday issued a statement warning consumers that they would be updated accordingly during the restoration process.

“Zesa Holdings would like to advise its customers countrywide that there will be an increase in load-shedding outside the publicised schedule due to a technical fault at Hwange Power Station,” reads the statement.

“Currently, there are two units generating at Hwange Power Station and customers will experience suppressed power supply until generation is restored to normal levels.”

Hwange power station is the biggest thermal power plant in Zimbabwe, with an installed capacity of 920 megawatts (MW) and consists of four units of 120MW each and two units of 220MW.

Zesa said engineers and technicians were working on restoring the generation to normal levels.

“Zesa Holdings sincerely apologises to its valued customers for the inconvenience caused,” reads the statement.

Zesa has recently blamed heavy rains that hit the country for the latest spate of power outages, saying it has experienced a number of faults due to inclement weather.

Zimbabweans have been subjected to load-shedding for years and economists say this has affected the industry, as most companies have had to cut short their operating hours.

The intermittent power cuts have also affected plant and machinery, some of which need constant power supplies.

Many households occasionally endure long hours of up to 12 hours without electricity, exceeding the normal load-shedding schedule, despite Zesa installing pre-paid meters in most households to help it manage demand and customer indebtedness.