Zimbabwe's capital city plunged into darkness

Harare, the Zimbabwean capital city, usually a hub of activity even during late evening hours, was plunged into darkness last night due to a power outage. Even the State House, Zimbabwe House, and the President's Office, as well as other critical areas, were affected. A widespread power outage struck around 10pm, leaving the whole central business district as dark as a moonless night.

Darkness, like ink, filled the Harare skyline, sprinkled with lights from generators and solar power like distant diamonds. The lifeless streets, normally illuminated by the glow of streetlights and neon signs—even though they are often poorly lit due to maintenance failures—were shrouded in an inky blackness. The only sound was the hum of generators and the occasional car horn, punctuating the eerie silence.

Buildings, including Harare's few towering skyscrapers, stood as dark monoliths, their windows like empty eyes staring back. The city's iconic landmarks, such as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe building, were mere silhouettes, their aesthetic beauty lost in the gloom. Traffic lights were out, leaving drivers to navigate the roads by instinct and guesswork. The roads, usually a sea of brake lights and headlights in the evening, became empty thoroughfares as vehicles breezed through the blackout.

Pedestrians, normally a common sight on the city's sidewalks, were few and far between. The power outage had brought the city to a standstill, exposing its vulnerabilities and reminding residents of the fragility of current life and national infrastructure.

The incident comes just weeks after President Emmerson Mnangagwa was forced to walk out of a budget presentation event at New Parliament in Mt Hampden following an embarrassing power outage. Parliament, instead of holding Mnangagwa and his ministers accountable for the disaster, issued an apology to the President.

Last night's outage stretched on for more than two hours before electricity was restored just after midnight. Zimbabwe's power shortages remain a grave concern, with the country reportedly losing a staggering US$1.6 billion annually due to power outages. Households and businesses alike continue to suffer, worsening an already precarious economic situation.

The World Bank estimates that these persistent power shortages cost Zimbabwe 6.1% of its GDP annually. The main causes of the crisis are the country's aging power infrastructure—particularly the Hwange Thermal Power Station, which remains in dire need of an upgrade despite recent expansion efforts—and the sharp decline in output at the hydroelectric Kariba Power Station. Kariba, which has an installed capacity of 1,050MW, is currently producing only just over 200MW due to critically low water levels.

Kariba, Zimbabwe's largest power plant, was built in stages, with its first six generators commissioned between 1959 and 1962. Two additional units were added in 2018, but its contribution to the national grid remains negligible amid ongoing water shortages.

Addressing Zimbabwe's power crisis requires urgent investment in upgrading existing infrastructure, as well as a significant shift toward renewable energy. The government must provide necessary guarantees to independent power producers and consider alternative energy sources such as solar and wind. While authorities claim they are working to resolve the crisis, the situation continues to worsen, with no immediate relief in sight.

As Zimbabweans brace for the festive season, many fear that celebrations will be marred by darkness, compounding the country's myriad economic and infrastructural challenges.