Most people might have noticed that load-shedding hours seem to have grown longer in the past couple of days. Where we used to have about 4-8 hours without power mostly during peak hours yesterday most of Harare’s neighbourhoods spent the entire day without power which only came back late in the night. ZESA has issued a notice to explain these new extended load-shedding hours.

NOTICE OF LOAD CURTAILMENT:NATIONALWIDE

Zimbabwe Electricity Transimission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) would like to adise its valued customers countrywide that there will be increased load curtailment from the 12th to 16th of September 2022.

This is due to depressed generation on the grid coupled by increased electricity demand as a result of increased economic activities. Our Engineers are working around the clock to ensure full restoration of service.

Customers are advised to use electricity sparingly and to always switch off electrical appliances when not in use.

The inconvenience caused is sincerly regretted.

Same old disappointing story

Honestly, while the heads up is much appreciated the problem facing ZESA is really nothing new. They have been facing this problem for decades. Zimbabwe requires about 2000 MW of power but the country only produces about 1 400 MW on a good day. That leaves a 700 MW shortfall that is either supplied through imports from the region or mitigated by load-shedding.

What is rather sad is that the government does not seem inclined to help ZESA fix this issue at all. More should be done to incentivise people to install solar panels for example. This might include making it easier for people with solar panels to supply power to the grid. Money should be spent on increasing power generation rather than futile rural electrification.