Tinotenda Hove – Zimbabweans are bracing for another long spell of electricity shortages after ZESA Holdings announced that Hwange Power Station’s Unit 3 will be shut down for 44 days of statutory maintenance, from 10 September to 24 October 2025.

In a statement, ZESA confirmed: “Hwange Unit 3 will undergo statutory maintenance from 10 September to 24 October 2025, a planned outage of 44 days. This exercise is essential to enhance the unit’s availability and reliability.”

The utility added: “During this period, Hwange Power Station will maintain four units in operation to support generation. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and greatly appreciate your understanding and continued support.”

But for many long-suffering citizens, those assurances ring hollow. Harare resident Tendai Moyo said the announcement only means more suffering. “We are already facing daily load-shedding. Taking another unit offline for more than a month is just another way of saying we must get used to living in the dark,” she said.

Energy analysts also expressed concern that the worst may be yet to come. The new and more reliable Units 7 and 8 are also expected to undergo similar maintenance in the coming months, a development that could deepen the power crisis.

Critics argue that the shutdown exposes ZESA’s long-standing weaknesses. “Maintenance is necessary, but when you have no backup and no alternative supply, people pay the price,” said an independent energy consultant.

For businesses and households alike, the Hwange shutdown feels less like progress and more like another reminder of Zimbabwe’s ongoing energy crisis.