Fire guts Highfield substation amid massive damage to ZESA infrastructure
By Caleb Chikwawawa
A fire broke out at a Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) substation in Highfield, Harare on Sunday causing disruptions to power supply in many arrears.
The incident was confirmed in a statement by ZESA which reported that some essential equipment was damaged in the inferno. Some of the affected equipment were transformers and circuit breaker.
The power utility also said that power supply in some substations was disrupted.
“On 4 May 2025, around 2000 hours, a fire incident occurred at Highfield substation, resulting in significant damage to critical equipment including a 20MVA 33/11kV transformer (T1), 33kV T1 circuit breaker (CB 37), three 33kV current transformers, 33/11kV T1 low-voltage cables, and all 33kV circuit breaker control cables.
“The fire has affected several substations, including Willowvale, Beatrice, Workington, and Glen Norah, leading to power outages in areas such as Southerton (industrial and domestic), Workington industrial, Old and New Adbernnie, parts of Willowvale, Rugare, Westwood, Lochnivar, Highfield, Waterfalls, and parts of Mbare.”
In response to the incident, ZESA said, load reconfiguration has been implemented to restore services, with Workington backfed from Kambuzuma and Willowvale backfed from Parkridge via Glen view.
The plan includes replacing damaged control cables to restore the 132/33kV transformers and circuit breakers into service.
“Additionally, a transformer will be removed from Hatgates and installed at Highfield. Beatrice substation has been successfully restored, bringing back power to Old Adbernnie, Waterfalls, Mbare, and parts of Southerton. However, areas still without power include Varuun Beverages, New Adbernnie, parts of Willowvale industrial, Highfield residential, and Glen Norah,” read the statement.
