Hwange Thermal Power Station Units 7 and 8 Dominate Zimbabwe’s Energy Supply in 2024

The Chinese-funded Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 and Unit 8 project has emerged as Zimbabwe’s primary source of electricity in 2024, according to the latest annual report released by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) on Friday.

ZERA’s 2024 report revealed that a total of 11,082 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity was delivered into the national transmission system over the year, marking a significant increase from the 10,096 GWh recorded in 2023.

The two newly commissioned units at Hwange Thermal Power Station were the largest contributors to this power generation milestone. Together, Units 7 and 8 delivered an impressive 4,918 GWh in 2024, solidifying their role as the dominant energy supply source for the country.

“The annual energy supply shows that Hwange 7 and 8 power stations are the dominant energy supply source in 2024,” ZERA noted in its report.

This increased domestic power generation has helped Zimbabwe significantly reduce its reliance on electricity imports, easing pressure on the national grid and improving energy stability across the country.

The Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion project, situated approximately 780 kilometers from the capital Harare, was commissioned in August 2023. The ambitious project was spearheaded by Chinese engineering giant Sinohydro, who successfully added Unit 7 and Unit 8 to the existing six units at the facility.

The project forms part of Zimbabwe’s broader strategy to enhance energy security, reduce load shedding, and support economic growth through reliable power supply. With Hwange Units 7 and 8 now in full operation, the country is making tangible progress toward achieving its energy self-sufficiency targets.

As Zimbabwe continues its drive toward energy sustainability, the success of the Hwange expansion stands out as a key milestone in boosting local generation capacity and reducing dependency on imported power.