Rising Water Levels Give Optimism Over Energy Crisis

There is increased hope of improved power provision after the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) confirmed that water levels in the Kariba dam are rising.

In November, the ZRA announced water levels become were concerningly low as climate change-induced rainfall draughts persist. This led to the Zimbabwe Power company reducing power generation in order to preserve water in the dam and to avoid a complete shutdown of the hydropower stations that serve both Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Since December 15 Zambia has experienced scheduled load shedding, leaving many Zambians in darkness.

However, news that the water levels are once again rising provides optimism that load shedding could end. Further, the Maamba Collieries Power Plant, presently closed for routine maintenance, is set to re-open on January 20. The generator at Maamba can provide an additional 150MW of energy.

The ZRA is reporting that increased local rainfall has led to an increase in Lake Kariba’s water levels. Gauge metres upstream from the dam all show marginal gains. While the increase is not yet enough to abate the situation, simulations indicate more significant gains should appear before the end of the month. 

President Hichilema has described the government as “alive to the disruptions” and has promised his followers on Facebook that “we are doing everything in our power to mitigate these challenges now, in the immediate term and long term.”

The government has announced the development of an Energy Sufficiency Strategy via the Ministry of Energy. The strategy is designed to ease the process for independent power producers to invest in the country and spur economic growth. He pledged not to depart from his goal to create a “vibrant economy” regardless of the unexpected obstacles found on the way.

The President reiterated that 2023 would be the year of “unlocking” the obstacles to economic growth. He is urging ZESCO to stagger load shedding, for example, to allow electricity to return during peak business hours to ensure businesses' continued growth.

Hichilema spent Sunday at Kariba, engaging stakeholders in order to ascertain the best way to share resources and better manage the facility in the future.

The President held emergency meetings across the weekend to battle the current energy crisis. Hichilema expressed his desire to find “lasting solutions” to a problem that has long troubled the country.

 Image via Twitter