In a major push to stabilise Zimbabwe’s electricity supply, the Government, in collaboration with power utility ZESA Holdings, is working to bring Hwange Thermal Power Station’s Unit 5 back online by March 2026, potentially adding 185 megawatts to the national grid.
The long-dormant unit, which has been offline for several years, is poised to reinforce Hwange’s status as the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s power generation infrastructure. Its restoration comes at a time when both domestic and industrial sectors are increasingly demanding reliable electricity to support growth and productivity.
During a recent site assessment, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable July Moyo, revealed that procurement processes are at an advanced stage, with key equipment already delivered to Hwange.
“I have been informed that if the remaining aspects of Unit 5 are funded, it could be brought back online by March 31, 2026. The critical question remains, can we secure the US$70 million required to complete the work? That is the responsibility of Government and ZESA Holdings in Harare, but I am encouraged that the technical teams on the ground are still working tirelessly,” said Minister Moyo.
The project’s successful completion depends on the mobilisation of the remaining financial resources and smooth logistical execution. If realised, the additional power will bolster national supply and complement recent milestones achieved under the Second Republic.
Notably, the commissioning of Units 7 and 8 at the same station, adding 600 megawatts to the grid, marked a historic turning point for Zimbabwe’s energy landscape. These developments have been hailed as pivotal to the country’s ambitions of energy self-sufficiency and economic transformation.
The planned revival of Unit 5 is part of Zimbabwe’s broader energy strategy aligned with Vision 2030, which prioritises infrastructure rehabilitation, industrial development, and expanded access to reliable power.
As Zimbabwe works to overcome energy constraints, the Hwange rehabilitation efforts symbolize the Government’s commitment to restoring legacy assets while expanding generation capacity to meet growing demand.
