Energy Permanent Secretary (Technical Services) Peter Mumba provided an update on the hydrological status and rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam during a recent media tour of the facility.
Mumba highlighted that the government, through the Zambezi River Authority, has intensified monitoring of water use by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to ensure consistent power generation at the Kariba Dam. Despite these efforts, the El-Nino effect has severely impacted power generation at the Kariba North Bank Power Station, reducing its capacity from 1,080 megawatts to under 200 megawatts.
For 2024, the Zambezi River Authority has allocated 16 billion cubic meters of water for power generation to both ZESCO and ZPC. This allocation is less than half of the typical 20 billion cubic meters each country receives in a year with adequate rainfall.
In response to the current challenges, the government is implementing several short-term interventions. These include promoting solar installations in public and residential sectors, driven by the recently adopted net-metering policy. Additionally, a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant is being developed in Chisamba, with the project expected to be completed in ten months. The government is also planning to import power and restart the 105-megawatt Ndola Energy Power Plant on June 10, 2024.
Looking ahead, the government is optimistic that the country will navigate the current power crisis through long-term investments aimed at boosting power generation and increasing the electricity supply. The ongoing rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam is expected to improve the infrastructure’s safety and reliability. Significant progress has been made on the project, with plunge pool reshaping works at 99% completion and spillway refurbishment at 75% completion. Overall, the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project is 88% complete.
Mumba commended the Zambezi River Authority for its dedicated efforts in managing the critical infrastructure, investing in advanced technology, and training staff to ensure effective water resource management.
