Zimbabwe owes unpaid electricity debt of $57 million from regional electricity suppliers. The State firm ZESA owes Mozambique's Hydroelectrica Cahora Bassa $40.3 million, the DRC's SNEL $9.8 million, Zambia's ZESCO $1.7 million, while power distribution company EDM of Mozambique is owed $5.1 million.

Zimbabwe imports 500 MW from the region and spends about $5.5 million per month. The country is said to have a peak demand of 2.200 megawatts, but generates a maximum of 1,000 MW due to ageing equipment and coal shortages for its hydrothermal plants.

Mines, factories and industries are said to have been hit hard by power shortages in the once mighty nation. Zimbabwe imports about 35 percent of its power requirements from Mozambique, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but is said to have regularly failed to pay for supplies.

A Reuters report quoted ZESA’s Chief Executive Ben Rafemoyo as saying that Zimbabwe could soon be cut off if it fails to pay for power imports. "The threat is very real that the suppliers have run out of patience," said Rafemoyo.

Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is currently on a tour to seek aid. US President Barrack Obama has since pledged $73 million aid to the country.

By Staff reporter and agencies