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The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) on Tuesday, 18 July 2023, issued an update on the water situation in the Kariba Catchment and lake levels at the Kariba Dam. Read the update below:
<blockquote>
UPDATE ON WATER LEVELS AT LAKE KARIBA
Lusaka, 18th July 2023 – The Zambezi River Authority (the Authority) hereby updates the public regarding the water situation in the Kariba Catchment and lake levels at the Kariba Dam as the third quarter of the year 2023 progresses.
With the 2022/23 rainfall season having effectively ended in April 2023, the Kariba Catchment is no longer experiencing any rainfall activities.
As per normal trend following the end of a rainfall season, flows of the Zambezi River and its tributaries are now receding and this downward trend is expected to continue until the commencement of the next rainfall season (2023/2024 rainfall season).
ZAMBEZI RIVER FLOWS AS MONITORED AT CHAVUMA GAUGING STATION
The Zambezi River flow recorded at Chavuma on 18th July 2023 was 241 m3/s. The flow recorded on the same date in 2022 was marginally lower at 235 m3/s.
The highest peak reached at this station under the just-ended 2022/2023 rainfall season was 2,614 m3/s recorded on 15th April 2023.
The current recession will continue until the commencement of the upcoming 2023/2024 rainfall season.
ZAMBEZI RIVER FLOWS AS MONITORED AT VICTORIA FALLS GAUGING STATION
The Zambezi River flows recorded at Victoria Falls have also been in recession since the start of June 2023.
The flow recorded on 18th July 2023 was 950 m3/s. The flow recorded on the same date in 2022 was lower at 873 m3/s.
The highest peak reached at this station under the now-ended 2022/2023 rainfall season was 2,718 m3/s recorded on 27th May 2023.
The current recession will continue up to the time the 2023/2024 rainfall season commences.
LAKE LEVELS RECORDED AT KARIBA
The Lake level has risen from being just over the Minimum Operating Level of 475m in January 2023 to over 479 m recorded as the month of June 2023 ended.
More recently, on 18th July 2023, the recorded lake level was 479.87m which translates to 20 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) or 30.87% of usable storage meant for power generation by the two utilities – ZESCO Limited and Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) who operate the Kariba North Bank Power Station and Kariba South Power Station, respectively.
On the same date in 2022, the recorded lake level was 479.94m with 20.33 BCM of usable water or 31.37% live storage.
The current level places the lake at 4.37 meters above the Minimum Operating Level (MOL) of 475.50m.
WATER ALLOCATION FOR POWER GENERATION AT KARIBA
The Authority allocated 40 BCM in September 2022 for the power generation in 2023 at the Kariba Complex to be shared equally between Zimbabwe Power Company-owned Kariba South Bank and ZESCO Ltd-owned Kariba North Bank power stations.
The allocation was informed by projections from the Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF)-26 that was held in August 2022 and further reconfirmed by the downscaled positions of the Metrological Agencies of Zambia and Zimbabwe, which both projected that the SADC and Kariba catchment region was to experience Normal to Above Normal for the 2022/23 rainfall season.
The actual performance of the 2022/23 rainfall season for the lower Kariba catchment, however, turned out to be Normal to Below Normal.
Accordingly, through the first quarter hydrological analysis, the Authority reduced the water allocation from 40 BCM to 30 BCM to be shared equally between ZESCO and ZPC at their Kariba Stations.
In this regard, the Authority will keep the public informed accordingly.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Zambezi River Authority Update On Water Levels At Lake Kariba | Full Statement

ZESA Holdings is managing its water allocation from the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) for power generation at Kariba South Bank Hydro Power Plant to ensure that it does not exhaust its share prematurely.
This was said by ZESA consultant (international business) Cletus Nyachowe during <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/hwange-units-1-6-refurb-begins">an interview</a> with State media. He said:
<blockquote>
The Zambezi River Authority, which manages water in Kariba Dam and allocates a certain amount of water to ZPC and ZESCO of Zambia for power generation, has given us the latitude to vary our power output from Kariba on condition that our overall water condition is maintained within its set limits.
Another point you may want to note is that when you see us generating between 800MW and 892MW at Kariba, that power output is probably on for an hour or less.
During the day, it is regulated up and down as and when required. So, normally that maximum output is only generated during peak demand periods.
We are operating Kariba very carefully and within our water limits.
</blockquote>
In January this year, ZRA announced plans to review the Tripartite Water Purchase Agreement to stiffen penalties against the over-utilisation of Lake Kariba and Zambezi River water.
ZRA Chief Executive, Munyaradzi Munodawafa said the Council of Ministers Resolution needed to be fully implemented to effectively regulate the utilisation of water.
He made the remarks during his visit to the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project site.
In November 2022, ZRA which runs the Kariba Dam <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/severe-load-shedding-looms-as-zra-tells-zesa-to-shut-down-kariba-power-station/">ordered ZPC to cut electricity generation by half owing to low water levels.</a>
ZRA which is jointly owned by Zimbabwe and Zambia told ZPC that the dam “no longer has any usable water to continue undertaking power generation operations.”
The directive saw ZESA Holdings implementing a tough load-shedding regime that saw consumers being plunged into darkness for at least 20 hours per day.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zambezi River Authority Set Limits On Water Usage At Lake Kariba

Zimbabwe’s electricity crisis will not end any time soon after the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) this week cut the amount of water allocated to ZESA and ZESCO for power generation at Kariba Dam.
ZESA and Zambia’s power utility ZESCO, equally share water at Kariba Dam for power generation.
ZRA executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa told <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/setback-as-zra-cuts-water-allocation-at-kariba/">Business Times</a> that ZESA and ZESCO are now utilising 15 billion cubic metres each from 22.5 billion cubic metres, which was allocated for the year 2022.
Speaking to the publication on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair International Business Conference on Wednesday, Munodawafa said:
<blockquote>
We have cut the water allocation to 15 billion cubic metres each from 22.5 billion metres with immediate effect. 
Last week, we concluded our water allocation reviews and have since written to the power utilities to adhere to the new limits. We are also going to limit their generation load.
</blockquote>
According to Business Times, this is the second worst allocation in the history of ZRA.
The worst allocation was effected in 1995, when ZRA allocated 11 billion cubic metres to the power utilities.
Munodawafa said the reason for the cut is that the region as a whole did not receive normal to above normal as had been forecasted. He said:
<blockquote>
But this did not happen. On the Zimbabwe side, Gwayi River did not register any flow into the lake Kariba. There were, however, some flashes from Sanyati River.
The Angolan catchment which usually supplies more water into Lake Kariba was also below what it used to do.
But what is funny is that the Kafue catchment in Zambia is actually spilling.
However, we will not be that strict until the end of the winter agriculture season in July.
After July, we will be tough with ZESA and ZESCO. Next year, it’s likely to be worse.
</blockquote>
The water cuts come as ZESA this week said it has been engaging ZRA for “more water allocation”.
ZESA general manager, stakeholder relations, communications and welfare, George Manyaya said told Business Times they haven’t received the letter yet from ZRA on the latest water allocation cut.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZRA Cuts Kariba Dam Water Allocation For Electricity Generation

The government of Zimbabwe and Zambia have directed the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) to mediate in negotiations for a clear borderline between the two countries on Lake Kariba’s waters.
The <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/local-news/article/200010155/zra-to-mediate-in-zim-zambia-border-impasse">Zimbabwe Independent</a> reported that the boundary between Zimbabwe and Zambia on the 300-kilometer-long Lake Kariba is not clearly demarcated in many places.
Lake Kariba was built during the federation era when modern Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi were treated by colonialists as one entity.
Since the official dissolution of the federation on 31 December 1963, there has been no clear boundary on Lake Kariba between Zimbabwe and Zambia, formerly Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia, respectively.
As a result, fishermen and other citizens have been arrested for the alleged transgression by both sides.
Heavy penalties have also been given to fishermen, most of whom would be working without the intention to illegally cross the border.
Last week, during a tour of the Zambezi Basin, officials confirmed that ZRA would mediate talks over the Lake Kariba border issue.
Speaking during the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) experiential tour of Lake Kariba in Siavonga, Zambia, ZRA chief executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa, said:
<blockquote>
In some of our activities, ZRA has been asked by authorities in Zimbabwe and Zambia to assist in identifying borderlines between the two countries.
We are working with the two countries’ surveyors’ general offices in re-affirming the borders along Lake Kariba so that they resolve disputes associated with each other’s citizens who are arrested along the dam.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s surveyor general Edwin Guvaza said the two countries have agreed to physically mark the boundary along Lake Kariba to make the boundary more clear. Guvaza said:
<blockquote>
The working relationship between the two sister countries is cordial as far as the reaffirmation exercise of the common boundary is concerned and the medium filum of the Zambezi River is the boundary between the two countries, except along segments where we do have islands featuring along the river, especially around the Victoria Falls segment and along Lake Kariba.
In that regard, we have agreed with our counterparts to physically mark the boundary along Lake Kariba to make the boundary conspicuous, by establishing floating buoys fixed along the boundary. This will enhance fishing activities along the Lake in both countries, to guide fishermen as they carry out their activities on the lake.
As it stands, it is difficult for the fishermen to identify where the boundary is, hence territorial encroachments are bound to happen.
</blockquote>
Kariba Dam was built between 1955 and 1959, with later work adding turbine rooms to generate electricity.
It was completed during the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and is jointly owned by Zimbabwe and Zambia.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe, Zambia Appoint Mediator To Resolve Border Impasse

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has said the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam is now close to completion.
The Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project is funded by the African Development Bank, and the European Union with counterpart funding by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The rehabilitation of the reservoir has two work components – the plunge pool reshaping and the spillway refurbishment.
<a href="https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/04/06/kariba-dam-rehab-progresses/">Lusaka Times</a> reported ZRA chief executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa as saying reshaping works are at 74 percent completion with a disbursement ratio of 75 percent.
He said the coffer dam has been completed, about a 36-metre depth of the plunge pool has been dewatered and the preparatory works for the fault zone strengthening measures have started. Said Munodawafa:
<blockquote>
To date, the project has realised several significant milestones which have gradually drawn it much closer to completion, despite the numerous challenges and setbacks that have been encountered since commencement.
Significant progress has accrued in implementation of the spillway rehabilitation work, with key milestones achieved todate being the successful installation of the coffer dams in sluices six, three, two and one.
The expected date of completion of the spillway refurbishment works is February 2025,
</blockquote>
Lake Kariba has been in operation since 1960 and has been meeting the water needs of the two power utility companies – ZESCO in Zambia and ZESA in Zimbabwe – for power generation.
However, the safety of the dam faced the threat of being compromised by two major deficiencies relating to the plunge pool and the spillway, according to Munodawafa.
He said the plunge pool has progressively deepened on account of the forces of the spilling water jets.
Munodawafa said the abrasion within the plunge pool, to its current depth of about 80 metres has been accompanied by preferential erosion towards the dam foundation. This can result in catastrophic dam failure.
Moreover, the spillway facility has been affected by an alkali-aggregate reaction, a concrete swelling phenomenon that causes operational challenges for the hydromechanical parts of the facility.
One of the consultants engaged by ZRA, Mott MacDonald, said that a catastrophic failure of the dam would result in the loss of over three million lives in the downstream riparian communities.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Lake Kariba Rehabilitation Nears Completion - ZRA

Chinese state-owned energy conglomerate, China Energy Engineering Corporation has proposed building a 1 000-megawatt floating solar farm for Zimbabwe on Lake Kariba.
The company said the civil engineering works would cost US$186 million and installation US$801 million, reported <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-27/china-energy-proposes-1-billion-floating-solar-farm-in-zimbabwe?srnd=premium-africa#xj4y7vzkg">Bloomberg</a>.
According to an official report that was prepared for China Energy and potential private equity funders by the company, more than 1.8 million photovoltaic panels installed over 146 modular floating units would be used for the project on Lake Kariba if it went ahead.
China Energy has installed floating panels on China’s Dingzhuang River and in Thailand, the company said in the presentation.
The Kariba report was prepared for Zimbabwe Power Co., CDF Trust Ltd., Energy China Ltd., and the Intensive Energy Users Group.
The project would power mining operations in the country and also help Zimbabwe reduce its carbon emissions.
The main benefit of floating solar is that it doesn’t take up valuable space on land – meaning that it can be used for other purposes, such as farming or construction.
Zimbabwe is facing acute electricity shortages that have resulted in blackouts lasting 18 hours a day for millions of citizens.
The power cuts are being caused by low water levels that have reduced generation from a hydropower plant on Lake Kariba as well as frequent breakdowns at the Hwange Thermal Power Station.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chinese Power Utility Proposes US$1 Billion Floating Solar Farm On Lake Kariba

The power supply situation in the country is expected to improve in the next few months as usable water for power generation in Lake Kariba increases, an official has said.
According to the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), the water level in the lake has been rising steadily, from 475.61 metres, or 0.83% of live storage water available for power generation, at the beginning of the year, to 477.90 metres on 13 March 2023, which translates to 16.70% usable storage.
Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) commercial services director Engineer Gift Ndlovu said power generation at Kariba has improved to an average of 350MW, up from 250MW early this year.
Speaking in a recent engagement with members of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), Ndlovu said:
<blockquote>
In the short to medium term, the power supply situation is bright because there has been improved dam water levels.
By May or June, it will be able to give us some comfort of around 425MW, increasing from the current production.
</blockquote>
According to <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/power-supplies-set-to-improve">The Sunday Mail</a>, significant inflows into Kariba usually start being recorded between April and June.

Rising Kariba Water Level To Boost Power Production - ZESA

Zimbabwe is seeking an emergency meeting with the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) to discuss water allocations to improve power generation at Kariba South Hydroelectric Power Station.
Towards the end of 2022, ZRA drastically reduced water allocation to both ZESA and ZESCO, which share equally water resources at the complex.
<a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/zim-zra-in-crucial-power-talks/">Business Times</a> quoted Energy and Power Development Minister, Zhemu Soda as saying Zimbabwean authorities will meet ZRA over water allocation. Said Soda:
<blockquote>
We are meeting ZRA with the hope that water allocation is going to be increased and improve our generation.
</blockquote>
He said Zimbabwe is currently importing about 500 megawatts (MW) from regional power utilities.
ZESA is struggling to bring on line two new generators at the country’s largest coal-fired power plant, Hwange Power Station.
Chinese contractor, Sinohydro Corporation was supposed to commission Unit 7 with a generation capacity of 300MW last year but has hitherto failed to do so.
Meanwhile, Zambia power utility ZESCO last week announced an end to load shedding after it upgraded power generation at various power stations across the country.

Zim, ZRA In Crunch Water Allocation Talks

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) says there is no likelihood that Lake Kariba will spill this year.
In late 2022, ZRA drastically reduced water allocations to Zimbabwe and Zambia’s power utilities due to plummeting water levels in the dam.
Heavy rainfall and floods in some parts of the southern African region had raised hopes that Kariba Dam will spill.
However, in a statement, ZRA said despite the floods, there is no likelihood of any spilling of water at the Kariba Dam this year, 2023. ZERA said:
<blockquote>
Heavy rains continue to be witnessed in Zambia and Zimbabwe with cases of flooding experienced in some parts.
This has led to mounting concerns over the possibility of spilling water at the 128-meter Kariba Dam.
Based on the information from our 14 gauging stations located within the Kariba catchment and coupled with obtaining usable storage and projected inflows into the lake for the year 2023, we wish to state as the Zambezi River Authority that there is no likelihood of any spilling of water at the Kariba Dam this year, 2023.
While the lake level continues rising in the world’s largest man-made lake and reservoir by volume, the likelihood of filling the 280km long (with a width of 32km in some sections) reservoir to a capacity that would then require creating space for incoming floods during this year remains very low.
With this backdrop, our concerned followers can take comfort that there is absolutely NO cause for alarm as the current reservoir storage of 9.6% (usable or live storage) and projected inflows into the lake are such that spilling is unlikely to take place this year.
</blockquote>

No Likelihood Of Lake Kariba Spilling - ZRA

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has increased the generation limit on the Kariba power stations from 300MW to 350MW each.
Zimbabwe’s ZESA Holdings operates the Kariba South hydroelectric power station, while Zambia’s ZESCO operates the Kariba North hydroelectric power station.
ZRA chief executive Munyaradzi Munodawafa told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/kariba-generation-limit-inches-up/">The Herald</a> that if power utilities do not exceed their generation limits, there would be room for increased power production. Said Munodawafa:
<blockquote>
The power utilities (ZESA and Zambia’s ZESCO) should generate 700MW between them. I know in Zimbabwe there is winter wheat production.
If the levels of production are maintained up to the end of March, then there shouldn’t be any problems with the allocation for the winter wheat crop production.
</blockquote>
He said Kariba Dam was expected to have received between 40 and 44 billion cubic metres by the end of the season in June.
This will allow ZESA and ZESCO to operate at their base production level of 1 200MW.

Kariba Hydroelectric Power Stations Increase Power Generation To 700MW

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) which is responsible for the allocation of water used by Zimbabwe’s Kariba South and Zambia’s Kariba North Power Stations has provided an update on river flows along the Zambezi catchment. In a statement seen by Pindula News, ZRA said flows have been increasing as the rainy season progresses. Reads the update issued on Wednesday 25 January 2023:
<h2>UPDATE ON RIVER FLOWS ALONG THE ZAMBEZI CATCHMENT (25 Jan 2023)</h2>
The hydrometric network used for the control and day-to-day operations of the Kariba reservoir comprise of thirteen stations where water levels are monitored daily. Flow measurements are carried out at eight of these stations which include the Victoria Falls, one of the key stations on the Zambezi River. Coincidentally, the maximum flow recorded at Victoria Falls was during the early construction phase of Kariba Dam in March 1958 at 10,000 cubic metres per second. The lowest flows recorded to date at Victoria Falls were during the 1995/96 season which had an annual mean flow of 390 cubic metres per second, whereas the Long Term Mean Annual flow at Victoria Falls is 1,100 cubic metres per second.
FLOWS AT SELECTED STATIONS:
1. CHAVUMA
Zambezi River flows at Chavuma have been increasing as the rainy season progresses.
Recorded flow on 25th January 2023 – 2,219 m3/s.
Recorded flow on 25th January 2022 – 824m3/s.
2. NANA’S FARM
The Zambezi River flows at Nana’s Farm, located some 33km upstream of Victoria Falls (typically the same reach) are steadily increasing.
Recorded flow on 25th January 2023 – 772m3/s.
Recorded flow on 25th January 2022 – 748m3/s.
3. NGONYE
Flows at Ngonye are rising due to increased rainfall activity.
Recorded flow on 25th January 2023 – 913m3/s.
Recorded flow on 25th January 2022 – 721m3/s.
4. VICTORIA FALLS/BIG TREE
The Zambezi River flows at Victoria Falls are steadily increasing, as the rain season progresses.
Recorded flow on 25th January 2023 – 772m3/s.
Recorded flow on 25th January 2022 – 748m3/s.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Update On River Flows Along The Zambezi Catchment - 25 Jan 2023

The Kariba Lake levels have been rising steadily due to an increase in local rainfall activity on and around the lake.
The Zambezi River flows at Victoria Falls are steadily increasing, as the rainy season progresses, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has said.
As of 16 January 2023, ZRA said Kariba Lake level was 475.83m (2.34% usable storage), compared to 478.45m (20.58% usable storage) recorded on the same date last year.
Towards the end of 2022, ZRA advised Zimbabwe and Zambia’s power utilities to drastically cut electricity generation to due critically low dam levels.
ZRA carries out Zambezi River measurements at eight stations which include Victoria Falls, one of the key stations on the Zambezi River. Some of the other stations are Chavuma, Nana’s Farm, and Ngonye.
On 16 January 2023, ZRA gave an update on the river flows along the Zambezi catchment. Flows at selected stations were as follows:
<blockquote>
<h2>1. CHAVUMA</h2>
Zambezi River flows at Chavuma have been increasing steadily as the rainy season progresses, closing the period under review at 684m3/s on 13th January 2023. The flow recorded last year on the same date was 526m3/s.
<h2>2. NANA’S FARM</h2>
The Zambezi River flows at Nana’s Farm, located some 33km upstream of Victoria Falls (typically the same reach) are steadily increasing, closing the period under review at 579m3/s on 13th January 2023. The flow observed on the same date last year was 585m3/s.
<h2>3. NGONYE</h2>
Flows at Ngonye are rising due to localised rainfall activity, recording 672m3/s at the end of the review period on 13th January 2023. The flow recorded last year on the same date was 592m3/s.
<h2>4. VICTORIA FALLS</h2>
The Zambezi River flows at Victoria Falls are steadily increasing, as the rain season progresses, closing the period under review at 579m3/s on 13th January 2023. The flow observed on the same date last year was 585m3/s.
</blockquote>

Kariba Lake Levels Rise, Zambezi River Flows Increase

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has announced plans to review the Tripartite Water Purchase Agreement to stiffen penalties against the over-utilisation of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kariba_Dam">Lake Kariba</a> and Zambezi River water.
ZRA Chief Executive, Munyaradzi Munodawafa said the Council of Ministers Resolution needed to be fully implemented to effectively regulate the utilisation of water. 
He made the remarks during his visit to the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project site on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200006066/zra-to-stiffen-penalties-on-kariba-water-use">NewsDay</a> quotes him as saying: 
<blockquote>
The 2022 water allocation was compounded by the need to have very lower lake levels to facilitate for dewatering of the plunge pool without raising concern regarding pore pressure from high lake levels.
The two utilities Zesco Limited (Zambia) and Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC)) will maintain combined average generation output at Kariba at 500 megawatts, that is 250MW for ZPC and 250MW for Zesco to the end of January 2023 after which they could increase to 400MW per power station as the inflows of the mainstream Zambezi River further increase during February and March and into the second quarter of the year 2023.
</blockquote>
In November 2022, ZRA which runs the Kariba Dam <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/severe-load-shedding-looms-as-zra-tells-zesa-to-shut-down-kariba-power-station/">ordered ZPC to cut electricity generation by half owing to low water levels.</a>
ZRA which is jointly owned by Zimbabwe and Zambia told ZPC that the dam “no longer has any usable water to continue undertaking power generation operations.”
The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kariba_South_Power_Station">Kariba South Hydro Power Station</a> provides Zimbabwe with about 70% of its electricity and was at the time producing at least 600MW of its installed 1 050 MW.
The directive saw ZESA Holdings implementing a tough load-shedding regime that saw consumers being plunged into darkness for at least 20 hours per day.
ZRA allocates 45 billion cubic metres of water to both Zimbabwe and Zambia for power generation at Kariba.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Zambezi River Authority Plans To Stiffen Penalties Against Over-utilisation Of Lake Kariba Water

ZESA Holdings and its Zambian sister power utility, the Zambia Electricity Supply Commission ZESCO, will be allocated more water by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) to increase their electricity generation next month.
For now, ZESA and ZESCO will maintain the combined average generation output at the Kariba hydro-power plant at 500MW.
This was said by ZRA chief executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa after Zambian Ministers and senior Government officials toured part of the Kariba complex on Wednesday, 11 January. Said Munodawafa:
<blockquote>
The two utilities (ZESCO Limited and ZPC) will maintain combined average generation output at Kariba at 500MW, that is, 250MW ZESCO and 250MW ZPC to the end of January 2023 after which they could increase to 400MW per power station as the flows of the mainstream Zambezi River further increase during both the months of February and March and into the second quarter of the year 2023.
</blockquote>
Munodawafa said the over-utilisation of water by utilities and poor performance of Kariba’s lower catchment rivers led to low water levels being recorded during the last quarter of the year 2022.
He said as of 11 January, the Kariba Lake level was at 475.78 (0.28m above the Minimum Operating Level-MOL of 475.5m). Added Munodawafa:
<blockquote>
Flows in the mainstream Zambezi River are expected to continue increasing going into February 2023.
Lake levels increasing and are projected to significantly increase by April 2023 in line with peak flows of mainstream Zambezi River.
The upper catchment of the Zambezi River is recording increased water levels.
</blockquote>
ZRA is a joint venture corporation owned by the governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia responsible for the management of the Zambezi River waters and the Kariba Dam complex.
The Kariba Dam complex comprises the dam wall and water storage reservoir and other associated ancillary facilities such as lake levels and river in-flows monitoring equipment.

ZRA To Release More Water For Kariba Power Generation

The Kariba Lake has started to increase in the past few days and was at 475.78m (2.00% usable storage) on Wednesday, 11 January 2022.
According to the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), a corporation jointly and equally owned by the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, which manages the man-made lake, the increase is attributable to reduced generation and an increase in local rainfall activity on and around the lake. ZRA said in an update:
<blockquote>
The Lake level has started increasing in the past few days due to reduced generation and partly an increase in Local rainfall activity on and around the lake, closing the period under review at 475.78m (2.00% usable storage) on 11th January 2023, compared to 478.33m (19.73% usable storage) recorded on the same date last year.
</blockquote>
ZRA reiterated that Kariba Lake is designed to operate between levels 475.50m and 488.50m (with 0.70m freeboard) for hydropower generation.
On Sunday Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema toured the lake. Speaking after the tour, Hichilema said he will engage his Zimbabwean counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the use and management of the Hydroelectricity power plant at Kariba Dam. He said:
<blockquote>
My counterpart [Mnangagwa] on the other side may have a view slightly different from mine. That’s okay, that’s fine. But I believe he too will be concerned; I will be speaking to him tonight [Sunday] or tomorrow [Monday].
For the Zambezi River Authority, we need to engage now in a formal meeting between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the relevant stakeholders, we will ask our foreign ministers to call for a meeting so that we can have a family conversation away from the media.
[The meeting will be] mainly to work together, not to polarise each other. We want the best for Zimbabwe, and I believe Zimbabwe wants what’s best for Zambia.
</blockquote>

Kariba Lake Level In Slight Increase - ZRA

Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema said that he will engage his Zimbabwean counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the use and management of the Hydroelectricity power plant at Kariba Dam.
Both Zambia and Zimbabwe are experiencing debilitating power cuts due to reduced electricity generation because of the low water in the dam.
Speaking after his tour of the dam on Sunday, Hichilema suggested that poor engagements between the two countries were partly to blame. He said in a tweet:
<blockquote>
Many factors have contributed to our current state of low electricity generation but most importantly, systems and information sharing, including optimal use of this shared resource are being largely ignored. We will engage all stakeholders about this.
</blockquote>
Speaking after the tour addressing power generation stakeholders in Siavonga, Zambia, the other side of Kariba, Hichilema said:
<blockquote>
My counterpart [Mnangagwa] on the other side may have a view slightly different from mine. That’s okay, that’s fine. But I believe he too will be concerned; I will be speaking to him tonight [Sunday] or tomorrow [Monday].
For the Zambezi River Authority, we need to engage now in a formal meeting between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the relevant stakeholders, we will ask our foreign ministers to call for a meeting so that we can have a family conversation away from the media.
[The meeting will be] mainly to work together, not to polarise each other. We want the best for Zimbabwe, and I believe Zimbabwe wants what’s best for Zambia.
</blockquote>
Lake Kariba is managed by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), a corporation jointly and equally owned by the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
ZRA falls under the management of the ministers of energy and finance from both countries.
ZRA’s chief executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa told Hichilema that Zambia’s power utility, ZESCO, followed the 2022 programme on power generation, but Zimbabwe’s ZESA did not <a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/zambia-to-engage-zimbabwe-over-use-of-hydro-plant-at-kariba-dam-20230109">reported News24</a>.
He bemoaned the fact that ZRA does not have access to inlets where the power generation is done, hence it cannot stop ZESCO or ZESA from using the river to generate electricity beyond their allocations.
Zimbabwe operates the Kariba South Bank Power Station, which has an installed capacity of 1 050MW, while Zambia operates the Kariba North Bank Power Station which has an installed capacity of 1 080MW.

Hichilema Says He Will Engage Mnangagwa Over Use Of Kariba Hydro-power Plant

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has commented on purported pictures of the Kariba Dam that have been circulating on social media platforms. ZRA said in a statement;
<blockquote>
The Zambezi River Authority (the Authority) has noted with concern, photographs of the plunge pool that have been circulated on social media with erroneous captions alleging that it is the current state of the world’s largest man-made water body by volume, Lake Kariba.
Please be advised that there is a difference between Lake Kariba, which is the large water reservoir on the upstream side of the Kariba Dam wall (the concrete structure) and the plunge pool, which is an 80m deep pool on the immediate downstream side of the Kariba Dam.
This pool was drilled down to this level by water pressure during spilling when flood gates are opened. Simply put, the plunge pool is NOT Lake Kariba.
</blockquote>
Razel Bec of France was contracted by ZRA to rehabilitate the plunge pool, with the project running from 2017 to 2025. ZRA said:
<blockquote>
It is also worth mentioning that the Authority, through its Contractor, Razel Bec of France, has been working on the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP) since 2017.
This is a $294-million-dollar project aimed at restoring the safety and structural integrity of the Kariba Dam so as to increase its lifespan and enable it efficiently to serve the people of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>

Zambezi River Authority Responds To Social Media Images Of "Lake Kariba"

The water level in Lake Kariba has increased slightly over the past few days due to increased rainfall activity on and around the dam in the past few days, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has said.
According to ZRA’s weekly updates on Lake Kariba levels, as of 5 January 2023, the reservoir was at 475.68m (1.32% usable storage) compared to 478.25m (19.17% usable storage) recorded on the same date last year. ZRA said:
<blockquote>
The Lake level that has been decreasing has now started showing some increasing trend in the past few days due to an increase in local rainfall activity on and around the lake.
The period under review closed at 475.68m (1.32% usable storage or live storage) on 5th January 2023, compared to 478.25m (19.17% usable storage) recorded on the same date last year.
</blockquote>
ZRA added that the Kariba Lake is designed to operate between levels 475.50m and 488.50m (with 0.70m freeboard) for hydropower generation.
Due to low water levels in the lake, ZRA ordered ZESA and ZESCO, Zimbabwe and Zambia’s power utilities respectively, to reduce electricity generation last year.
Zimbabwe operates the Kariba South Bank Power Station, which has an installed capacity of 1 050MW, while Zambia operates the Kariba North Bank Power Station which has an installed capacity of 1 080MW.
On 4 January 2023, Zambia’s State-owned power utility ZESCO Limited increased hours of load shedding to twelve (12) hours daily due to low water levels in the lake.
ZESA was also forced to reduce power generation at Kariba South Power Station towards the end of 2022 due to dwindling water levels, and as of 5 January 2023, the power plant was generating a meagre 260MW.

Kariba Lake Level Showing Increasing Trend - ZRA

Fastjet Zimbabwe Thursday said it would be introducing flights to <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kariba">Kariba</a> and <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Hwange">Hwange</a> in March 2023 as it accelerates a long-cherished plan to completely network Zimbabwe.
The regional carrier currently services the Harare-Bulawayo route, along with the Harare-<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Victoria_Falls">Victoria Falls</a> one, among its key regional and domestic destinations.
The award-winning airline will be flying from Harare and Victoria Falls to Kariba Airport and Hwange National Park Airport.
In a statement seen by Pindula News, Nunurai Ndawana fastjet Zimbabwe spokesperson said:
<blockquote>
We continue to demonstrate our commitment to the growth of tourism and the sustainability of air services in the markets we serve. The addition of these leisure destinations will greatly support our vision.
The Embraer E120 is a robust turboprop aircraft designed for domestic operations, offering customers a pressurised cabin with spacious legroom and overhead baggage space. We intend to align our timings to schedule our flights in such a way that we offer customers the flexibility and convenience of multiple frequencies per day.
</blockquote>
Vivian Ruwuya, fastjet Zimbabwe’s Chief Commercial Officer said the introduction of flights to Kariba and Hwange allows visitors in Victoria Falls to explore the wonders of Zimbabwe further by visiting both Hwange National Park and the lake in Kariba. Ruwuya said:
<blockquote>
Working closely with our industry stakeholders and partners, including Airports Company of Zimbabwe and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, we continue to explore ways to further develop the domestic Zimbabwean flight network. We are delighted to announce that our new flights to Hwange and Kariba from our tourism hub of Victoria Falls and our Harare base, will be supported with onward connections on Mack Air / South West Aviation into the Hwange National Park, the lodges of the Kariba eastern basin and the camps and operations in Mana Pools and the lower Zambezi. Mack Air with South West Aviation will be developing a new hub at Kariba, along with their existing hubs in Victoria Falls and Harare to support these seamless connections to and from fastjet’s services.
</blockquote>
Kariba and Hwange will add to fastjet’s domestic destinations of Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls, as well as provide straightforward connectivity for international customers flying in from Johannesburg via Victoria Falls to and from Kariba.
The new flights will be available for booking via the fastjet website, App and usual online trade portals in the coming days.
Kariba town, which sits on the east end of the 300km-long Lake Kariba, has been underserved with scheduled flights for many years.
In 2014, Air Zimbabwe returned to the route after abandoning it in 1996 but pulled out within a year.
Early this year, another airline entered the route, but it has since pulled out.
Hwange, another of Zimbabwe’s key tourist destinations, relies mostly on passengers arriving at the nearby Victoria Falls International Airport.
In July, fastjet also introduced flights between Zimbabwe and Botswana to boost tourism in both countries.
This followed another launch in March of a direct flight between Victoria Falls and Mpumalanga in South Africa.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Fastjet Zimbabwe Announce Additional Flights To Hwange And Kariba

Former <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/ZESA">Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA)</a> chief executive officer, Engineer <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Josh_Chifamba">Joshua Chifamba</a> has blamed unfavourable tariffs for sinking the nation into the current electricity crisis.
He speaks when Zimbabwe is experiencing a huge power deficit that has seen both households and industry enduring 18 or more hours-long power cuts which authorities have attributed to declining water levels at Kariba Dam. <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/former-zesa-ceo-blames-low-tariffs-delayed-sacrifices-for-current-electricity-problems/">NewsZimbabwe.com</a> cites him as saying:
<blockquote>
Kariba would thus change its operating regime &amp; the wholesale price of electricity would be reduced, as imported peaking power was coming in at USc45/kWh, against a retail tariff of USc9/kWh.
This change was never supposed to be a threat to water in Kariba that it has become.
Thus, Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited, with the same capacity as ZESA at Kariba; but unlike ZESA having leverage to operate according to the new operating regime; after having built new power stations; has kept within its water allocation. It’s that simple!
So, the addition of generators at Kariba is not, in and of itself, the cause of the water problem at Kariba.
Issues in the sector have been left unresolved for far too long! The main Achilles heel have been sub economic tariffs and a challenging economic environment.
</blockquote>
Chifamba said outside peak time, output at Kariba was supposed to reduce, to allow for increased output at peak.
Economists have since warned that should the electricity crisis continue unresolved, efforts made to revive the ailing economy will soon be reversed due to erratic productivity.
The government has however made some interventions which include revamping ZESA’s institutional sustainability and tabling plans for further expansion of the power generation capacity among others.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Former ZESA CEO Speaks On The Causes Of The Electricity Crisis

Energy and Power Development minister Zhemu Soda Sunday said the decline in the quantity of power generated at Kariba is as a result of natural causes, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200004481/no-funding-for-power-imports-minister">NewsDay</a> reported. 
His remarks come after the Zimbabwe Power Company, a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), was directed by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) to scale down operations at Kariba South Hydropower Station to allow water to refill at Kariba Dam.
ZPC stated on 5 December 2022 (today) that only 200MW were being generated at the plant.
The situation means Zimbabwe will likely have prolonged power cuts. Commenting on the situation while addressing journalists in Harare, Soda said:
<blockquote>
The government is making an intervention. This is a crisis situation and we hope through that intervention, funding will be available to apply for the additional capacity which we are looking forward to getting from our neighbours.
The ministry urges all consumers to reduce load by employing energy conservation and efficiency measures. Lights must be switched off in all offices at night and other measures like rightsizing of equipment, use of energy savers.
Over and above the above measures, government is pursuing a medium to long-term plan to meet the power needs of the country. The government is supporting the acceleration of implementation of renewable energy projects by independent power producers.
Government has identified some solar sites where it will fast-track implementation and pre-feasibility studies have already been done. It must be noted that the situation at Kariba is mainly due to natural causes and the ministry is doing all in its power to avert the situation.
The Zimbabwean government has turned to neighbouring countries seeking to increase imports from the region and replace 300MW lost through restrictions at Kariba.
</blockquote>
Currently, Zimbabwe is importing a combined 250 megawatts (MW) from South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique.
Additional negotiations are ongoing, with 150MW expected from Mozambique, Soda said.
Zhemu made the remarks after hopes to import more power from Zambia were dampened with the neighbouring country introducing a six-hour daily load-shedding regime starting on December 15.
Zimbabwe had hoped to plug the supply gap with additional power imports from Zambia. 
However, the latest developments mean continued power imports from Zambia is no longer guaranteed.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

The Situation At Kariba Is Mainly Due To Natural Causes - Energy Minister

Zambia’s Energy Minister Peter Kapala has announced that ZESCO, the local power utility, will commence load shedding on 15th December 2022 due to the low water levels in the Kariba dam.
Kapala said the water levels in Kariba dam have been reducing on account of low inflows from the Zambezi river and over-utilisation of water to sustain power generation has also worsened the situation.
The Minister said load management will be undertaken for a period of four months aimed at rationing water in the dam in order to avoid a complete shutdown, <a href="https://www.lusakatimes.com/2022/12/02/load-shedding-returns-as-zesco-announces-a-six-hour-load-shedding-schedule/">Lusaka Times</a> reported.
He said as of 28th November 2022, the water levels were at 4.1 per cent of usable water storage saying this threatens power generation for both Zambia and Zimbabwe. 
Delivering a ministerial statement in Parliament on the 2nd of December 2022, Kapala said:
<blockquote>
ZESCO will implement a load management regime aimed at rationing power generation at the Kariba Complex to avoid a complete shutdown. This will be done with the view to minimize the impact on key economic sectors as well as preservation of the integrity of generation units at the Kariba Complex.
We anticipate that based on the water levels, this will translate into a load management regime starting on 15th December 2022 of up to a maximum of six (6) hours daily until the water levels improve.
</blockquote>
He said the proposed measures will be phased and revisited from time to time over the next four months in order to ensure the security of the electricity supply and mitigate the impact on the economy.
Kapala spoke after the Zambezi River Authority had directed Zimbabwe Power Company to immediately ensure that Power generation activities at the South Bank Power Station are reduced to a maximum of 300MW instead of 600MW.
ZESCO will reduce generation at Kariba North Bank Power Station to a maximum of 800MW until further review of the substantive Hydrological outlook at lake Kariba.
His remarks come barely days after a Zambian politician and member of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Joseph_Kalimbwe">Joseph Kalimbwe</a> suggested that Zimbabwean authorities were lying about a decrease in water levels in Kariba Dam.
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zambian-official-says-its-rain-season-kariba-dam-is-full-unless-theres-another-kariba/">In a statement</a> earlier posted by Pindula News, Kalimbwe said: 
<blockquote>
It’s rain season, the Kariba Dam is full. We have full electricity generation this side – perhaps with some issues in certain areas. But unless there is another Kariba, I don’t see why others are claiming and telling their people that the dam is empty!!!
I trust the science, if you say the Zambezi river is empty in August or October, I will understand. If you say it’s empty in December – during rain season – you are peddling political lies !!!
</blockquote>
<h2>Some Context:</h2>
The Kariba Lake is designed to operate between 475.50m and 488.50m of water above sea level (asl) for purposes of hydropower generation. 
For the year 2022, ZRA allocated a combined total of 45 Billion Cubic Meters of water to ZESCO and ZPC for power generation at the Kariba Complex. The allocation was to be shared equally between ZESCO and ZPC with each utility to utilize 22.5 Billion Cubic Meters of water respectively for the year 2022.
<h2>More Pindula News</h2>

Zambia's ZESCO Announces A Daily 6-Hour Load Shedding Due To Low Water Levels In Kariba Dam

Zambia will start load shedding from 15 December in response to a huge drop in water levels in Lake Kariba, which supply water for power generation.
Peter Kapala, Zambia’s energy minister, on Friday, told Parliament that water in the lake has dropped to 4.1 percent of usable storage for the Kariba North Bank Power Station in Zambia and the Kariba South Bank on the Zimbabwean side of the lake. He said:
<blockquote>
The low water level situation in Lake Kariba threatens the power generation from both the Kariba North Bank Hydropower station and Kariba South Bank Hydropower station.
… We anticipate that this will translate into a load management regime starting on the 15th of December, 2022 of up to six hours daily.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe and Zambia jointly own the Kariba Dam and it is the main source of electricity generation for both countries.
To avoid a complete shutdown of the two power stations, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has told Zimbabwe to cut generation to a maximum of 300 megawatts and Zambia to a maximum of 800 megawatts, said Kapala.
The Kariba North Bank Power Station in Zambia has an installed capacity of 1080 megawatts while the Kariba South Bank Power station in Zimbabwe has a capacity of 1050 megawatts.
Zimbabwe is already experiencing power cuts lasting for more than 15 hours per day in most parts of the country. | <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/2/zambia-plans-power-cuts-dulow-levels">Al Jazeera</a>

Zambia To Commence Electricity Load Shedding On 15 December

Zimbabwe is reportedly negotiating with neighbouring Zambia for additional power imports following indications that the country’s <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kariba_South_Power_Station">Kariba South Power Station</a> could soon be switched off due to low water levels.
Acting Information minister<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Jenfan_Muswere"> Jenfan Muswere</a> told a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday that deliberations had been made and Energy minister Zhemu Soda would update the nation soon.
Apart from the Zambia deal, Zimbabwe is banking on the expected coming online of Hwange unit 7 with an additional 300 megawatts (MW) next month.
Tests are reported to have been run although indications are that after the formal commissioning, the plant will run gradually until it optimises.
Zambia and Zimbabwe have a combined generation capacity of 2 130 megawatts at Kariba, which is on the Zambezi River that separates the two countries.
In July, Zambia declared that it had a surplus of about 1 000 MW.
According to the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Power_Company">Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC)</a> website, Hwange Power Station is generating just 245MW, while other power stations Harare, Bulawayo, Munyati and Kariba are generating 11MW, 0MW, 14MW and 854MW, respectively, to give a total of 1 124MW, against a peak demand of 2 200 MW.
The move to engage Zambia comes after the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) chief executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa said Zimbabwe had exhausted its 2022 water allocation necessitating the shutdown of the Kariba South Bank Power Station.
However, former Finance minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tendai_Biti">Tendai Biti</a> said Zimbabwe needed a fresh 2 000MW on its national grid to meet rising demand. He told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200004326/zim-turns-to-zambia-for-power-bailout">NewsDay</a>:
<blockquote>
You should just strike off Kariba, forget about it and look at new projects such as Batoka which can give you 2 000MW split in half between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
</blockquote>
He said the balance comes from alternative sources, including wind, solar and independent power producers.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Zimbabwe Engages Zambia For Additional Power Imports - Minister

South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, has said it cannot supply Zimbabwe more than it does now because as it “does not have any access to capacity”.
Eskom has a contract with Zimbabwe to supply electricity.
The remarks come after the Zambezi River Authority’s <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/severe-load-shedding-looms-as-zra-tells-zesa-to-shut-down-kariba-power-station/">directive to Zimbabwe to close</a> its Kariba South hydroelectric power station due to <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/11/25/kariba-dam-water-levels-fall-to-5-63/">a recession in water levels.</a>
Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha told <a href="https://www.citizen.co.za/news/eskom-cut-off-zimbabwe-sas-grid-collapse/">The Citizen SA</a> that the power utility cannot help Zimbabwe. 
Mantshantsha’s remarks were echoed by Energy and Political analyst Tshepo Kgadima who said Zimbabweans should brace themselves for a dark Christmas as the region awaits a recovery from the rainfall season. He is quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
I don’t know how they would do that under the current climate, previous years, let’s say seven, eight years ago, that was feasible, but today is not at all, it’s not feasible.
And if they do it now, on political grounds and not on technical grounds or obeying the laws of physics then South Africa’s grid is going to collapse.
Here is the thing that we need to maybe ask the river system has a hydro capacity of 20 000 megawatts, now they knew this how many years ago? How come they’ve never done anything to increase that capacity?
</blockquote>
According to a letter dated 25 November from the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), which runs the Kariba Dam jointly owned by Zimbabwe and neighbouring Zambia, the dam no longer has any usable water to continue undertaking power generation operations.
ZRA noted that the Kariba South Hydro Power Station which provides Zimbabwe with about 70% of its electricity and has been producing significantly less than its capacity of 1,050 megawatts in recent years due to receding water levels caused by droughts.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

"Eskom Cannot Supply Zimbabwe More Than It Does Now" - Spokesperson

A Zambian politician and member of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has said the Kariba Dam is full and power generation is being conducted normally.
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Joseph_Kalimbwe">Joseph Kalimbwe</a>‘s remarks come as the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has advised the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, that it has <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/severe-load-shedding-looms-as-zra-tells-zesa-to-shut-down-kariba-power-station/">already used more water than it had been allocated, therefore, must shut down</a> its Kariba Hydro Power Station (Kariba South Bank Power Station) power plant until at least January 2023 to allow the dam to refill, according to Pindula News.
Kariba Hydro Power Station is Zimbabwe’s only reliable power plant, as Hwange Thermal Power Station constantly breaks down due to ageing equipment while the other smaller thermal power plants, such as Harare, Bulawayo, and Munyati are also unreliable due to coal shortages.
The closure of the plant could worsen Zimbabwe’s power crisis.
In response to the development, Kalimbwe who is a staunch critic of the Zimbabwean government expressed shock. He said in a post seen by Pindula News:
<blockquote>
It’s rain season, the Kariba Dam is full. We have full electricity generation this side – perhaps with some issues in certain areas. But unless there is another Kariba, I don’t see why others are claiming and telling their people that the dam is empty!!! 
I trust the science, if you say the Zambezi river is empty in August or October, I will understand. If you say it’s empty in December – during rain season – you are peddling political lies !!!
</blockquote>
Zambia has 3 456.8MW of installed electricity generation capacity, of which about 85% is hydro-based. 
In July 2022, Zambia declared that the country has <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zambia-declares-power-surplus-of-1-000mw/">a surplus capacity of about 1 000 megawatts (MW)</a> at a time the country is also enjoying an economic rebound.
Although there are pockets of private sector activity in the generation, transmission, and distribution, the vast majority of power in Zambia is operated by ZESCO, the vertically integrated state-owned utility.  
However, the sector is opening up to new IPPs for on-grid and off-grid transactions. 
The government of Zambia expects to bring online additional MW of solar, hydro, and thermal power through 2030. 
Following the announcement that Kariba water levels were reaching unusable levels, Zambia’s power utility, ZESCO Limited, said <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zambia-will-not-experience-load-shedding-zesco-speaks-on-kariba-dam-low-water-levels/">there will be no load shedding in Zambia</a> as the existing generation capacity can provide consistent power to its local customers, Pindula News previously reported.
ZESCO Limited Board Chairperson Vickson N’cube said Zambia no longer relies on Kariba Dam alone and has the cushion of the 750 MW Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station that will be fully operational at the end of November 2022.
Kariba has a generation capacity of 2 130 megawatts split between Zambia and Zimbabwe, which are separated by the Zambezi. 
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Zambian Politician Says "It’s Rain Season, Kariba Dam Is Full, Unless There's Another Kariba"

Zimbabweans will likely experience longer hours of load shedding as power generation at Kariba Hydro Power Station will be suspended for the remainder of the year due to low water levels at Kariba Dam.
Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) chief executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa revealed that the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, used more water than it had been allocated, necessitating the closure of the power plant until at least January 2023 to allow the dam to replenish.
Kariba Hydro Power Station is Zimbabwe’s only reliable power plant, as Hwange Thermal Power Station constantly breaks down due to ageing equipment while the other smaller thermal power plants are constantly affected by shortages of coal.
A letter dated 25 November 2022 addressed to the Zimbabwe Power Company by Munodawafa advising the company to shut down the Kariba South Bank Power Station, reads:
<blockquote>
<h2>EXHAUSTION OF 2022 WATER ALLOCATION AND NEED FOR SHUTDOWN OF KARIBA SOUTH BANK POWER STATION TO AVERT RISK OF TOTAL SHUTDOWN OF POWER GENERATION OPERATIONS AT KARIBA</h2>
We refer to the above subject matter as well as to the current Water Purchase Agreement between the Zambezi River Authority, Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC)/Kariba Hydro Power Company (Private) Limited (KHPC) and ZESCO Limited. Further reference is made to the High Level Joint Technical Committee Meetings of 10th and 25 November 2022 held between the parties to the Water Purchase Agreement for Kariba.
Please be advised that as of 25th November 2022, Kariba South Bank Power Station had utilised 23.89 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) of water, accounting for 1.39 BCM (or 6.16%) above the 2022 water allocation of 22.50 BCM.
Given that the Kariba Reservoir usable storage currently stands at a paltry 2.98 BCM or 4.60% full, and that ZESCO Limited still has a positive balance of 2.44BCM (10.82%) as of 25th November 2022, ZPC/KHPC no longer has any usable water to continue undertaking power generation operations at Kariba South Bank Power Station.
With the current performance of the 2022/2023 rainfall season in the Kariba Lower Catchment where the river flows are yet to improve and the associated inflows from the Upper Kariba Catchment which will only influence any potential increase in the Lake Level at Kariba during the later part of the first quarter of 2023, it is highly unlikely that there will be any reasonable inflow augmentation in the remaining period of the year 2022, giving little or no chance of improvement in the reservoir storage levels during the remaining period of the year 2022 and going into the first quarter of the year 2023.
If the current water utilisation above allocation at Kariba South Bank Power Station continues, the remaining water for power generation at Kariba (live storage) will be out by mid-December 2022 or much earlier.
Guided by the Water Purchase Agreement and the provisions of the ZRA Acts and as the agreed Reservoir Operational Framework under the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), where the Authority and the two Kariba Power Generation Utilities are obligated and have agreed to sustainably operate the reservoir, the Zambezi River Authority is left with no choice but to firmly guide that ZPC/KHPC immediately ensures that generation activities at the South Bank Power Station are wholly suspended henceforth, until January 2023 when a further review of the substantive Hydrological Outlook at Kariba will be undertaken which will include consideration of the total reservoir live storage build-up which would have resulted from a shutdown of the Kariba South Bank Power Station power generation operations.
</blockquote>

Severe Load Shedding Looms As ZRA Tells ZESA To Shut Down Kariba Power Station

The water levels at Lake Kariba have continued to fall, with usable storage at 5.63% as of 21 November 2021, compared to 26.88% recorded on the same date last year.
The low water levels might worsen power shortages in the country as the hydroelectric power plant is Zimbabwe’s only reliable power station.
The power plant has a generation capacity of 2 130 megawatts split between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
According to the latest Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) weekly hydrology report, the lake level has been decreasing due to low inflows from the mainstream Zambezi River. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
The Kariba Lake is designed to operate between levels 475.50m and 488.50m (with 0.70m freeboard) for hydropower generation.
The Lake level has been decreasing steadily on account of low inflows from the mainstream Zambezi River, closing the period under review at 476.31m (5.63% usable storage) on 21st November 2022, compared to 479.32m (26.88% usable storage) recorded on the same date last year.
</blockquote>
<h2>Water Level Falling Faster</h2>
Kariba Dam water is shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia and is managed by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), an agency jointly controlled by the two nation’s governments.
Both Zimbabwe and Zambia have built extra hydropower turbines at Kariba in the past decade, which release more water downstream.

Kariba Dam Water Levels Fall To 5.63%

Zimbabwe is now pinning hopes of improved electricity generation on the commissioning of unit 7 at the Hwange Power Station later this year as the water at the Kariba hydroelectric plant has fallen to a critically low level while existing generators at Hwange frequently break down.
According to ZESA Holdings’ internal statistics, the dam level of usable live water for generating power had dropped to 6.6 percent as of Thursday, 17 November.
Meanwhile, three generators at Hwange were shut down on Wednesday because of boiler tube leaks and the plant was running on two units, producing 231 megawatts to the plant’s rated capacity of 920 MW.
At Kariba, three units are down for various maintenance works and the plant was producing 475 MW.
All of the country’s small power units — Harare, Munyati and Bulawayo, were shut down due to coal shortages.
Independent power producers are supplying 29 MW to the grid and 290 MW are being imported from Zambia, South Africa, and Mozambique, but the country has a deficit of 612 MW.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.businessweekly.co.zw/zim-pins-hope-on-hwange-as-lake-kariba-drains/">Business Weekly</a> in an interview, Power and Energy Development Minister Zhemu Soda said the commissioning of unit 7 at Hwange is expected to feed 300 MW. Said Soda:
<blockquote>
Our hope now lies in unit seven. (Exiting) units at Hwange are coming out anytime and it’s no longer a surprise for us because the equipment has become too obsolete and we can’t rely on them.
</blockquote>
He said the commercial production may begin later this month or early December.
Unit 8, for an additional 300MW, is expected to come online during the first quarter of next year. Added:
<blockquote>
Although we are concerned about the water level at Kariba, Zambezi River Authority (which manages the lake) has advised us that we may continue generating and are also expecting early inflows to the lake due to early rain.
</blockquote>

Govts Pins Hope On Hwange Unit 7, As Kariba Depletes

Zambia’s power utility, ZESCO Limited, says there will be no load shedding in Zambia emanating from low water levels at the Kariba Dam.
ZESCO said that the existing generation capacity can provide consistent power to its local customers.
This comes after the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) said that water levels at the Kariba Dam are falling to record-low levels at 10.9 per cent usable water last week, compared to 34.1 per cent a year ago.
The development prompted energy expert Boniface Zulu to project an imminent but minimal load-shedding in Zambia.
However, speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference and Exhibition-ZIMEC in Kitwe, ZESCO Limited Board Chairperson Vickson N`cube told Phoenix News that the power utility is not panicking about the situation.
He said Zambia no longer relies on Kariba Dam alone and has the cushion of the 750 MW Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station that will be fully operational at the end of this month.
ZRA revealed that Kariba Dam had 10.9% of usable storage this week, compared with 34.1% a year ago.
Levels are close to those reached in the 1995/96 season, the lowest recorded since the dam was completed in 1959.
Zimbabwe and Zambia have both built extra hydropower turbines at Kariba Hydro Power Station in the past decade, which release more water downstream. | <a href="https://www.lusakatimes.com/2022/11/03/zambia-will-not-experience-load-shedding-on-account-of-low-water-levels-at-kariba-zesco/">Lusaka Times</a>

Zambia Will Not Experience Load Shedding, ZESCO Speaks On Kariba Dam Low Water Levels

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