Like Zambia, Zimbabwe Turns To Coal, Begins Construction Of 720MW Thermal Power Plant Amid Hydropower Crisis

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has launched the construction of a 720-megawatt thermal power plant in Hwange, in the western part of the country on Monday.

The project is being developed by Titan Energy (Private) Limited in partnership with state-owned ZESA Holdings. It aims to address power shortages worsened by reduced output at the Kariba Hydro-Power Station due to drought.

The plant will use waste coal from local mines to produce electricity, supporting both industrial and domestic energy demands. Hwange, situated in Matabeleland North, is home to extensive coal reserves, making the area a key site for energy-related investments.

In its first phase, the plant will generate 160MW, with capacity expected to scale up to 720MW. A second phase will include a 200MW solar power facility, aligning with global moves toward renewable energy solutions.

It will be recalled that West Africa Weekly reported that Zimbabwe has been struggling with power shortages, mainly due to low output from the Kariba South hydropower station.

The station, which usually supplies about 70 per cent of the country’s electricity, has been operating below capacity due to drought-induced low water levels in Lake Kariba.

The Zambezi River Authority, which manages the Kariba Dam shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia, recently reported record-low water levels, forcing a temporary stop to electricity generation.

Despite Zimbabwe’s large coal reserves, estimated at 502 million tonnes as of 2019, the country has been focusing on renewable energy to address climate concerns.

The move to construct this thermal power plant mirrors efforts in neighbouring Zambia, which is also planning a coal-fired power station to counter electricity shortages caused by reduced hydropower generation.

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