ZESA Power Cuts and Load Shedding: Understanding the Crisis and Supporting Family from the UK

Load shedding has become one of the most disruptive features of daily life in Zimbabwe, affecting homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals across the country. For Zimbabweans in the UK trying to support family back home, understanding the electricity crisis — and how to help navigate it — is essential. **The Scale of the Problem** Zimbabwe's electricity utility, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), has struggled for years to meet national demand. The country relies heavily on the Kariba South hydroelectric power station, which generates around 1,050 MW at full capacity, and the ageing Hwange Thermal Power Station. Both have suffered from chronic underinvestment, poor maintenance, and — in Kariba's case — severe drought reducing water levels in Lake Kariba. At its worst, Zimbabwe has experienced up to 18 hours of load shedding per day in some areas. Even in relatively stable periods, scheduled outages of 8 to 12 hours are common, with unscheduled faults adding further disruption on top. Urban areas including Harare and Bulawayo follow load shedding schedules divided into numbered groups, though these schedules are frequently not adhered to due to equipment failures. The situation worsened significantly after 2019 when Lake Kariba water levels dropped critically, forcing Kariba South to operate well below capacity. The commissioning of new units at Hwange (Units 7 and 8, with a combined capacity of around 600 MW) in 2023 offered some relief, though integration challenges and ongoing maintenance have limited the immediate impact on household supply. **Impact on Daily Life** For families in Zimbabwe, load shedding disrupts nearly everything. Refrigerated food spoils during extended outages. Water supplies are affected because electric pumps cannot operate. Children cannot study after dark without alternatives to mains electricity. Small businesses — from hair salons to tuck shops — lose income every day the power is off. In winter, the absence of electric heating is a genuine hardship. Many households and businesses have adapted by purchasing solar panels, inverters, and battery backup systems. Generator use is common but costly, as fuel prices in Zimbabwe remain high. Prepaid solar home systems offered by companies like ZARA Solar and others have grown in popularity, though upfront costs remain a barrier for many families. **How to Pay ZESA Bills from the UK** ZESA operates on a prepaid token system for most residential customers. These tokens — essentially top-up codes — are purchased and entered into a smart meter to add electricity units. This system, while sometimes frustrating, does allow diaspora members to pay directly on behalf of family. Several platforms facilitate ZESA token purchases from the UK: - **Mukuru** offers ZESA token purchases alongside its money transfer and airtime services. You can buy tokens online or via the Mukuru app, entering the meter number of the family member's home. - **EcoCash and OneMoney** platforms can be loaded with funds sent from the UK, allowing family members to buy tokens themselves through their mobile wallets. - **Harare City Council and ZINWA** (Zimbabwe National Water Authority) bills for water can sometimes be settled via similar digital platforms, though processes vary. - Direct bank transfers to ZB Bank, CBZ, or FBC can also fund accounts from which relatives manage their own payments. When purchasing tokens remotely, you will need the 11-digit meter number printed on the physical electricity meter at the property. Keep this number saved — it makes future top-ups straightforward. **Helping Family Cope** Beyond paying bills, diaspora members often contribute to longer-term solutions. Sending funds specifically earmarked for a solar panel installation or inverter battery is increasingly common. A basic solar home system sufficient to power lights, phone charging, and a small television can cost between USD 300 and USD 800 installed, depending on capacity. Larger systems with battery storage capable of running a fridge and other appliances range considerably higher. When remitting money for this purpose, services such as WorldRemit, Wise, or Remitly allow transfers to Zimbabwean bank accounts or mobile wallets, from which family can source equipment locally. Some diaspora members purchase equipment through online retailers in South Africa and arrange delivery, though import duties and logistics add complexity. **Looking Ahead** Zimbabwe has ambitious targets to expand electricity generation through solar, wind, and additional thermal capacity, and independent power producers (IPPs) are increasingly entering the market. However, grid infrastructure and distribution remain significant constraints. The realistic expectation for most households is that load shedding will continue to be a feature of life for the foreseeable future, making off-grid and backup solutions genuinely valuable investments for families receiving diaspora support.