Kariba Lake, the primary source of hydropower for both Zimbabwe and Zambia, is experiencing critically low water levels, leading to significant reductions in power generation for the two neighboring countries.
The Zambezi River Authority’s latest update today August 19, 2024, reveals that the lake’s water level has dropped to 476.87 meters, a notable decline from 479.46 meters at the same time last year.
The available water for power generation has fallen to just 9.46%, down sharply from 27.89% a year ago. This decline has forced authorities in both Zimbabwe and Zambia to slash power production, resulting in widespread load shedding across both economies. The drastic reduction in inflows compared to outflows has exacerbated the situation, raising concerns about the sustainability of power supply in the region.
The Kariba Lake is designed to operate between levels 475.50 meters and 488.50 meters, with 0.70 meters freeboard for hydropower generation. As the water levels continue to approach the lower operational threshold, the energy crisis in the region is likely to deepen, affecting households, businesses, and industrial operations.
In response to the declining water levels and the subsequent power shortages, both Zimbabwe and Zambia are exploring alternative energy sources and implementing measures to manage the impact on their economies. However, with the lake’s usable live storage volume now at just 6.12 billion cubic meters, compared to 18.07 billion cubic meters last year, the road ahead remains challenging.
