Zimbabwe rolls out nationwide power network rehabilitation

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has launched an ambitious nationwide power network rehabilitation programme in a bid to tackle persistent electricity outages affecting communities across the country.

The repair and restoration drive, which commenced in March and is expected to run through to November 2025, aims to address widespread damage caused by theft, vandalism, and the impact of the recent rainy season, which left many areas without a stable electricity supply.

ZETDC officials say the programme will prioritise the replacement of fallen electricity poles, repair of infrastructure damaged by criminal activities, and resolution of weather-related faults that have compounded the power supply challenges.

"Several districts have been severely affected by damaged infrastructure, and some have gone for prolonged periods without reliable electricity," ZETDC said in a public statement. "We are deploying more teams and resources to fast-track the rehabilitation process and restore power to affected communities."

The state utility acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the outages and extended an apology to the public, assuring citizens that it is working around the clock to improve the stability and reliability of the national grid.

To support the effort, ZETDC has mobilised additional personnel and equipment across provinces to accelerate repairs and ensure that households, businesses, and essential services regain consistent access to electricity.

In addition to the technical challenges, vandalism and theft of power infrastructure continue to pose serious threats to the integrity of the national grid. ZETDC has called on residents to play an active role in safeguarding public infrastructure by reporting any suspicious activity or tampering with power lines.

"We urge all members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any acts of vandalism or theft to the nearest police station or to ZETDC offices. Protecting our infrastructure is a shared responsibility," the statement added.

The rehabilitation programme is seen as a crucial step toward stabilising Zimbabwe's energy sector, which has faced recurring challenges over the years, including aging infrastructure, limited generation capacity, and rising demand.

As ZETDC works to rebuild and modernise the network, the public is being urged to exercise patience and cooperate with ongoing restoration efforts.