Economist Eddie Cross has sharply criticized Zimbabwe’s ongoing infrastructure and power challenges, stressing that the country cannot sustain its economy without addressing the critical issues of electricity and water supply.
Speaking this week, Cross highlighted the severe impact of unreliable power on businesses, particularly the mining sector.
“How do we run our businesses on 50% power? How do we operate when the lights go out in the middle of mining operations?” Cross questioned, recalling a conversation with a miner who described the challenges of operating with frequent power outages. With over 600 miners working underground, a sudden power cut forces the company to rely on costly diesel generators to ensure the safety of workers and resume operations. Cross argued that such disruptions are unsustainable, emphasizing that power is the “blood supply” for the economy.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Cross expressed frustration at the lack of government action, stating, “I don’t see any solution in government. We’ve got to get to grips with this.” Drawing comparisons to South Africa, which liberalized its gold market 18 months ago and has since avoided power cuts, Cross suggested that Zimbabwe could benefit from similar private sector investment in the power sector.
Turning to water supply, Cross pointed to the looming crisis, especially in Bulawayo, where water is being rationed to just a few hours per week. “If we don’t build more dams, we’re going to run out of water,” he warned, stressing the urgent need for infrastructure development to secure the future of the country.
Today, Zimbabwe’s daily power generation statistics showed a total supply of 1248MW against a peak demand of around 1,700 to 2,200 Megawatts (MW). During peak winter periods, this can rise to about 2,200 MW., with the Hwange power station contributing the majority at 990MW. The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) says Kariba followed with 185MW, and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) added 73MW to the national grid.
