ZRA reduces 2023 power generation allocation by 10...

ZRA reduces 2023 power generation allocation by 10bcm

Zim Now Writer

The Zambezi River Authority has said that Zimbabwe and Zambia must stick to their stipulated water usage policies and can only use 30 billion cubic metres this year.

This is down from 40bcm allocated in 2022.

"We allocate water for the north and south bank power stations. But the two countries over-used their allocations and we have had to micro-manage the two power stations to preserve water in the lake," ZRA CEO Munodawafa said in an address to a delegation from the Nile Basin Initiative, who toured the facilities recently.

Crucial meetings are being convened every Friday by Zimbabwe and Zambia to monitor developments on the Lake, which supports a big tourism, fishing and transportation economy that has sprouted since Lake Kariba was completed in 1957.

Last year, ZRA allocated 40 billion cubic metres for power generation to both countries, according to official statistics.

The Zimbabwe Power Company exhausted its allocations in 2022 plunging Zimbabwe into a debilitating power crisis.

Zimbabwe and Zambia have equal benefit from Lake Kariba in terms of electricity generation.

The Zambia Electricity Supply Company, which runs a much bigger power plant on the lake, also utilised more water than its ZRA allocation, official reports indicated

The power crisis was most precipitated by low rainfall in the Zambezi River basin the previous season.

While rainfall improved within the basin during the 2022/2023 season, water levels remain critical, and ZRA is under pressure to ensure water is managed well.

Zimbabwe is currently producing just over 500MW out of the 1050MW capacity at Kariba.

However the country this year has a cushion as Hwange Unit 7 has now been commissioned and is addig around 300MW to the national grid.

Unit 8 is expected to also go live before the end of the second quarter adding a similar load, making Hwange the nation’s main power base until Kariba water levels are improved.

There is also talk of putting floating solar panels at Kariba and Tugwi Mukosi, a development that would help boost power supplies while also helping preserve water.

Current power generation according to ZESA:

Munyati, 13MW

Bulawayo OMW

Harare, 12MW

Kariba, 506MW

Hwange 548MW.