Worsening power sittuation ahead as Kariba water levels drop to record low

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The effects of the devastating El Nino-induced drought continue to worsen the power situation in Zimbabwe and Zambia, both countries having limited water allocation for power generation from the Zambezi River Authority, a development that may also result in the shutdown of the Kariba North Power plant, plunging many into prolonged darkness.

The records from the river authority show that water storage for power generation has dropped below the 10 percent mark to 5.37 billon cubic meters, 8.30 percent of the optimal operating capacity, compared to last year’s records at this time of the year, with its capacity standing at 16.89 billion cubic meters representing 26.08 percent, almost three times this year’s capacity.

The water authorities have thus allocated at least three hours each of water on a rotational basis, which will result in Zambia shutting down Kariba North power plant in the coming two weeks.

Sources claim that with less of water inflows, the two countries will likely face prolonged hours of load-shedding which poses a grave threat to production in their economies.