News / National
Kariba Dam water level rises slightly
2 hrs ago | Views
The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has reported a steady rise in water levels at Kariba Dam, reaching 475.87 metres as of January 6, reflecting a 2.61% improvement in usable storage capacity for power production.
The increase has raised hopes for improved power generation at the dam, which has been constrained by critically low water levels in recent years. Kariba Dam operates optimally within a range of 475.50 metres to 488.50 metres, making the current rise a promising development.
The ZRA, which manages the shared resource between Zimbabwe and Zambia, has revised its water allocation for 2024/25 to 27 billion cubic metres (BCM), a significant increase from the 16 BCM allocated in the 2023/24 hydrological year. This allocation is evenly split between the two countries for power generation.
The revision is based on forecasts of normal-to-above-normal rainfall for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region during the current rainy season.
In 2023, critically low water levels forced the ZRA to limit water allocation, allowing only 214 MW of power generation at Kariba - far below its 1,050 MW capacity. The resulting power shortages led to prolonged load shedding in both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
"The Lake level is steadily increasing due to sustained rainfall on the reservoir and immediate catchment," ZRA noted in a statement. "As of January 6, 2025, the water level was at 475.87 metres (2.61% usable storage), compared to 477.28 metres (12.32% usable storage) recorded on the same date last year."
Zimbabwe continues to face electricity challenges despite the addition of Units 7 and 8 to the Hwange Thermal Power Station, which boosted its installed capacity to 1,520 MW. Frequent breakdowns in older units (1-6) at Hwange remain a concern, adding to the strain on the national grid.
Economic commentator Ms. Wendy Mpofu expressed optimism about the rising water levels at Kariba.
"With increased water levels, the power plant can generate more electricity, and given the predictions of normal to above-normal rainfall, we are hopeful that dam levels will rise significantly this year," said Ms. Mpofu.
As the rainy season progresses, authorities and citizens alike are optimistic that sustained rainfall will further improve water levels at Kariba, offering much-needed relief to the region's power supply challenges.
The increase has raised hopes for improved power generation at the dam, which has been constrained by critically low water levels in recent years. Kariba Dam operates optimally within a range of 475.50 metres to 488.50 metres, making the current rise a promising development.
The ZRA, which manages the shared resource between Zimbabwe and Zambia, has revised its water allocation for 2024/25 to 27 billion cubic metres (BCM), a significant increase from the 16 BCM allocated in the 2023/24 hydrological year. This allocation is evenly split between the two countries for power generation.
The revision is based on forecasts of normal-to-above-normal rainfall for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region during the current rainy season.
In 2023, critically low water levels forced the ZRA to limit water allocation, allowing only 214 MW of power generation at Kariba - far below its 1,050 MW capacity. The resulting power shortages led to prolonged load shedding in both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
"The Lake level is steadily increasing due to sustained rainfall on the reservoir and immediate catchment," ZRA noted in a statement. "As of January 6, 2025, the water level was at 475.87 metres (2.61% usable storage), compared to 477.28 metres (12.32% usable storage) recorded on the same date last year."
Zimbabwe continues to face electricity challenges despite the addition of Units 7 and 8 to the Hwange Thermal Power Station, which boosted its installed capacity to 1,520 MW. Frequent breakdowns in older units (1-6) at Hwange remain a concern, adding to the strain on the national grid.
Economic commentator Ms. Wendy Mpofu expressed optimism about the rising water levels at Kariba.
"With increased water levels, the power plant can generate more electricity, and given the predictions of normal to above-normal rainfall, we are hopeful that dam levels will rise significantly this year," said Ms. Mpofu.
As the rainy season progresses, authorities and citizens alike are optimistic that sustained rainfall will further improve water levels at Kariba, offering much-needed relief to the region's power supply challenges.
Source - The Herald
