The five-megawatt Mutirikwi Mini-Hydro Power Plant has become a milestone achievement under Zimbabwe’s Second Republic, aligning with the government’s Vision 2030 agenda to achieve energy self-sufficiency.
Completed in late 2024, the plant now operates at full capacity, harnessing water resources from Lake Mutirikwi to generate electricity for the national grid. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce load shedding in Masvingo, providing stable power for critical institutions and the local community.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, highlighted the impact of the project, stating, “Previously, Masvingo received two megawatts of electricity from the national grid. With this plant’s additional five megawatts, we can now end load shedding in Masvingo town. Essential facilities like hospitals, water pump stations, and security departments now have a reliable power supply.”
According to site manager Mr. Austin Boora, the Mutirikwi plant has been generating electricity at full capacity since November 2024, supplying over 120 megawatt-hours daily. Engineer Justice Jangano added that the plant’s output is sufficient to power 3,000 households, marking a significant step in addressing Zimbabwe’s energy demands.
Beyond electricity, the project supports irrigation pumping from Lake Mutirikwi, ensuring uninterrupted agricultural activities. Community members have welcomed the development, citing the positive impact on farming and other local projects hindered by previous power shortages.
The government is also planning to construct another mini-hydro power station at Tugwi Mukosi Dam in Masvingo Province as part of its broader strategy to utilize the country’s water resources for power generation and economic growth.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has consistently emphasized energy self-sufficiency as a cornerstone of achieving an upper-middle-income society by 2030, making initiatives like the Mutirikwi Mini-Hydro Power Plant vital to national development.
