Great Zimbabwe Hydro Power Plant Set for Official Commissioning

The Government of Zimbabwe is preparing to officially commission the Great Zimbabwe Hydro Power Plant, a development that represents a significant step forward in boosting power generation and driving industrial growth in Masvingo Province.

The 5-megawatt (MW) facility began producing electricity in November 2024 and has already improved the province’s energy reliability, with Masvingo urban areas now experiencing little to no load-shedding.

This hydro project stands out as a key achievement under the Second Republic’s infrastructure development agenda, which places strong emphasis on renewable energy investment across the country.

According to Engineer Justice Jangano, the Plant Manager, the station has been consistently supplying electricity to the national grid through a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).

“We commenced commercial generation in November last year and have been feeding the national grid continuously without any major issues. The system operates using water released by ZINWA for downstream irrigation, which we then channel through turbines before returning it for agricultural use,” said Eng. Jangano.

He added that the initiative has significantly reduced power shortages and enhanced energy efficiency in Masvingo Province.

“This project has had a positive impact, particularly in Masvingo urban, by cutting down load-shedding and reducing transmission losses since the power is consumed close to where it is generated,” he explained.

The Ministry of Energy and Power Development has also revealed that additional hydro-power projects are in progress, including a 15MW plant at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam and another 5MW station at Bangala along the Mutirikwi River.

Once operational, these developments will enable Masvingo Province to generate an estimated 25MW of electricity, exceeding local demand and supplying excess power to the national grid.