Zimbabwe has entered into a $455 million agreement with India’s Jindal Group to refurbish the Hwange thermal power plant, the country’s largest electricity generation facility. The deal, announced on Wednesday by the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, is aimed at boosting output and stabilizing supply to meet industrial and household demand.
Energy Minister Edgar Moyo stated in Harare that the refurbishment would extend the plant’s lifespan by more than 25 years and help bridge Zimbabwe’s persistent power deficits. “This investment is a game-changer for our energy security. It will strengthen industrial productivity and ease the blackouts that have hampered economic growth,” he remarked in a briefing reported by The Herald.
The Hwange plant, built in the 1980s, has long struggled with aging infrastructure, leading to frequent breakdowns and reduced capacity. Jindal, which has energy and mining investments across Africa, said the project underscores its commitment to Zimbabwe’s energy sector and the region’s wider electrification drive.
Industry experts cited by Reuters explained that Zimbabwe requires over 2,000 megawatts daily but often generates less than 1,300 megawatts, forcing reliance on costly imports from Mozambique and South Africa. The refurbishment project is expected to be completed within three years, with phased rollouts to minimize disruption.
Economic analysts interviewed by Bloomberg highlighted that reliable power generation is essential for Zimbabwe’s mining sector, particularly gold, platinum, and lithium, which anchors the country’s export earnings.
