Harare, (New Ziana) – The Great Zimbabwe Hydro Power Plant in Masvingo Province is set for official commissioning in the coming days, marking a major stride in Zimbabwe’s drive to expand clean energy production and fast-track industrial growth, the Government has said.

Already feeding electricity into the national grid, Government said the five-megawatt hydro facility is operating under a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).

The plant harnesses water released from Lake Mutirikwi Dam for irrigation purposes, channelling it through turbines to generate power before the water continues its journey to sugarcane fields in Chiredzi.

Situated near the iconic Great Zimbabwe monuments, Government said the project brings both environmental and economic advantages. Local transmission losses have been reduced, and residents of Masvingo urban are seeing relief from load-shedding.

Officials say the commissioning of the plant will further strengthen the province’s energy landscape, supporting Zimbabwe’s broader transition to clean power sources.

The initiative also reflects government efforts to decentralize power generation and ensure stable electricity supply for key sectors, including agriculture and industry.

Masvingo is set to become a notable energy hub, with more projects already on the horizon. A 15MW hydro-power station planned for Tugwi-Mukosi Dam will take the province’s potential output to about 25MW, exceeding local consumption needs and allowing surplus electricity to be channelled into the national grid.

As Zimbabwe works to close the energy gap and stimulate economic transformation, the Great Zimbabwe Hydro Power Plant stands as a clear example of innovation and progress driving national development.

New Ziana