Kariba increases power generation

Harare (New Ziana) -THE Kariba South Power Station has increased its average electricity generation following an improvement in water inflows into the Lake Kariba, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) said on Wednesday.

In an update, ZPC said power generation has increased from 250Megawatts to 350Megawatts.

“Kariba South Power Station has increased its average generation from 250MW to 350MW following an improvement in water inflows into Lake Kariba,” it said.

The power station had always been running on 600 MW but generation was reduced to 300MW in December last year due to the dropping water levels at Lake Kariba, leading the ZPC to resort to load shedding.

The situation was worsened by frequent breakdown of equipment at the Hwange Power Station, which saw it operating with two units during the period.

Last year in December the Zambezi River Authority ordered ZESA Holdings to shut down the Kariba station until early this year after it exceeded its water allocation for power generation.

In its latest update, the Zambezi River Authority, which manages the Kariba Dam, said the Lake level had been rising due to an increase in local rainfall activity, flows in the immediate streams and mainstream.

“Zambezi River, closing the period under review at 476.70m (8.30% usable storage) on 6th February 2023, compared to 478.81m (23.18% usable storage) recorded on the same date last year,” said the authority.

Zimbabwe requires over 2 000 MW per day and has to import from the region to offset the deficit.

According to the ZPC, on Wednesday the country produced 719 MW of electricity.

New Ziana