Generation capacity at Kariba increases

Harare (New Ziana) – The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has increased water allocation for power generation operations at Kariba power station to 30 billion cubic meters, following a favourable outlook for the 2020/21 rain season.

The water allocation, which was increased from 27 billion cubic meters, will be shared equally between ZESCO Limited and the Zimbabwe Power Company for their respective power generation operations at Kariba.

ZRA acting chief executive officer, Edward Kabwe said the rainfall projections implied that the Kariba catchment had a higher probability of receiving normal to above-normal rainfall during the period October to December 2020 and also during the period January to March 2021.

“Following the projected favourable seasonal rainfall outlook for the 2020/21 rainfall season (October 2020 – March 2021) made by weather experts including the local meteorological departments, which could result in slightly above average inflows into Lake Kariba, the Zambezi River Authority has allocated 30 BCM of water for power generation at Kariba Dam to be shared equally between Kariba North Bank Power Station and Kariba South Bank Power Station,” he said.

“The Authority will continue to monitor the hydrological outlook of the Kariba Catchment and make necessary adjustments in the reservoir operations to ensure continued availability of water for power generation operations at Kariba.”

Kabwe said the authority continues to gather and record daily water level readings at its 14 gauging stations located within the Kariba Catchment area, with the recorded hydrological data utilised in informing reservoir operations at Kariba

Zimbabwe and Zambia have been experiencing power shortages due to decreased output at Kariba, whose generation capacity has been affected by low water levels in Lake Kariba.
New Ziana