Lake Kariba's Rising Water Levels Bring Hope for Energy Recovery

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) reported that water levels in Lake Kariba are on the rise due to continued rainfall in the reservoir and catchment area. This development is essential for Zimbabwe and Zambia, both of which depend heavily on Lake Kariba for hydroelectric power generation.

In recent years, the ongoing drought has had a detrimental effect on the country’s hydroelectric production, which supplies 85% of Zambia’s electricity. The resultant water shortage and power outages have disrupted daily life and economic activities across the country, with severe consequences for the agricultural and industrial sectors that drive the economy.

Hydropower generation at Lake Kariba operates effectively when water levels are between 475.50m and 488.50m. According to the ZRA’s latest hydrological survey, water levels reached 475.87m on 6 January, up from 475.83m on 24 December. This represents a modest but vital increase in storage capacity, from 11.34% to 12.32% during that period.

Since its commissioning in 1960, the Kariba Dam has been a vital source of energy production and economic development in the region. The recent increase in water levels offers much-needed relief, especially following the declaration of a national disaster by President Hakainde Hichilema in February 2024.