Simultaneous Blackouts Leave Zimbabwe and Zambia in the Dark

BULAWAYO – On Sunday evening, Zimbabwe and Zambia plunged into darkness, suffering nationwide power outages almost simultaneously. The disruptions are linked to power lines connected to Eskom, South Africa’s utility giant.

In Zambia, the blackout struck at precisely 8:15 PM, while Zimbabwe experienced the outage shortly after, at 8:25 PM. The timing has raised questions about the interconnected nature of regional power supply.

ZESA, Zimbabwe’s state-owned power company, reported “a system disturbance” causing a total grid collapse. Zambia’s ZESCO echoed similar concerns, citing “a power system disturbance” that disrupted supply nationwide.

Engineers from both countries swiftly began restoration efforts. By Monday morning, most areas in Zimbabwe had power restored, with significant progress reported at regional substations.

ZESA’s statement emphasized that engineers worked tirelessly to address the fault. Most load centers in Zimbabwe were operational by 3 AM on Monday, providing much-needed relief to affected areas.

Sources close to ZESA revealed that a surge on power lines transmitting electricity from South Africa might have triggered the fault. Both Zimbabwe and Zambia import electricity from Eskom to supplement domestic power deficits.

Zambia’s dependence on Eskom has intensified recently due to worsening power shortages, compounded by low water levels at the Kariba Dam. The dam is a critical source of hydroelectric power for both nations.

Reports from individuals using electronic devices described the outage as sudden and erratic. Power flickered three times before completely failing, highlighting the grid’s instability during the incident.

Zimbabwe and Zambia face significant power generation challenges as Kariba’s water levels remain critically low. Both nations have reduced power output to prevent further strain on the dam’s resources.

Zimbabweans are no strangers to prolonged outages. With aging thermal power plants frequently breaking down, daily blackouts lasting up to 18 hours have become the norm in many areas.

Zambia has also grappled with similar difficulties. The country’s power deficit has forced ZESCO to rely heavily on imports, further exposing the fragility of regional electricity networks.

Regional interconnectivity in power grids brings both opportunities and risks. While it enables power-sharing during shortages, faults in one part of the network can cascade into widespread outages.

For Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Kariba Dam remains a pivotal but increasingly unreliable energy source. Persistent droughts and water mismanagement have exacerbated the situation, leaving millions in darkness.

Sunday’s blackout underscores the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions. With power demands surging and infrastructure aging, the region faces mounting pressure to diversify its energy mix.

The outages also spotlight the vulnerability of nations dependent on external imports. Reliance on Eskom places both countries at the mercy of South Africa’s energy challenges.

Efforts to restore normalcy have been commendable. However, questions linger about long-term energy security and the resilience of interconnected power grids in southern Africa.

As Zimbabwe and Zambia recover from the blackout, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the region’s precarious energy landscape.

The Zim Bulletin