In a notable demonstration of international cooperation, Zambia and Zimbabwe celebrated the successful refurbishment of the spillway gates and the reshaping of the plunge pool at the Kariba Dam.
The rehabilitation project has taken seven years and is now nearing closure, with all works at 99 percent completion.
Refilling the plunge pool, a significant project milestone, enhances the dam’s structural integrity to ensure safety and stability.
According to the Zambezi River Authority, reshaping the plunge pool was necessary to prevent a potential dam collapse that could have impacted over 3 million people downstream. It is also critical for ensuring regional energy security.
The project’s primary goal is to boost electricity production for both Zambia and Zimbabwe, which share the dam resource and are both hardly hit by drought, which has severely reduced electricity generation from Kariba and necessitated hours-long power cuts in Zambia.
Estimated to cost US$300 million, the project is a collaborative effort funded by the Zambezi River Authority, the European Union, the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Swedish Government.
Looking ahead, the Zambezi River Authority plans to enhance hydroelectric generation and explore renewable energy sources, with future infrastructure projects at Batoka, Devil’s, and Mupata gorges expected to add over 4,500 megawatts to the regional grid.
Additionally, the Authority has adopted a conjunctive operation strategy for dam management to ensure the sustainable use of the Zambezi River water and to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held in Siavonga was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including the Ministers of Energy from both countries and various ambassadors accredited to Zambia.
