Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in LIVINGSTONE, Zambia
POWER generation companies in Zimbabwe and Zambia have been urged to adopt strategies that promote the sustainable use of allocated water, ensuring optimal operational capacity and minimising power generation losses.
This recommendation follows the allocation of 27 billion cubic meters of water by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) for the 2025 power generation cycle, which will be shared equally between the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and the Zambia Electricity Supply Authority (ZESCO), amid a mixed forecast for the 2024/2025 rainfall season.
Giving his keynote address at the 42nd Ordinary Council of Ministers meeting in Livingstone, Zambia on Friday, chairperson of Zambezi River Authority Council of Ministers and Zimbabwe Minister of Energy and Power Development, Edgar Moyo called for discipline in water use for the 2025 operational cycle.
“End-of-year projections indicate that live storage levels will be lower than anticipated, emphasising the need for disciplined water use as we enter the 2025 operational cycle. It should also be noted that the Southern Africa Development Community forecasts for the 2024/25 rainfall season suggest mixed outcomes with parts of the Kariba catchment area expected to receive below-normal rainfall. In response, the Authority allocated 27 billion cubic meters for 2025, split equally between ZESCO Limited and ZPC.
“This allocation will be reviewed at the end of the first quarter of 2025. This cautious yet strategic approach aims to balance the power generation needs with sustainable management of the Kariba Reservoir. It is our expectation that the two utilities, though under pressure to meet the demand, need to exercise discipline in the utilisation of the water allocated to them by ZRA,” said Minister Moyo.
He said while ZESCO Limited fully utilised its allocation of eight billion cubic metres by mid-September 2024, it was permitted to continue power generation at the minimum allowable level to maintain stability in the power system at both national and regional levels within the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP).
In contrast, ZPC effectively managed to stay within its allocation limits.
Minister Moyo said investigations were underway to determine the glitch that triggered a blackout in four countries last week which he said was a threat to power supply security.
“I say so because we recently experienced a total blackout that affected Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa and Mozambique and the real cause is still under investigation. We therefore need to remain resolute in times of weakness and vulnerability such as now and avoid, by all means situations that could potentially trigger such incidences which have far-reaching consequences to our power supply security and economies at large.”
The Minister revealed that key projects such as the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP) whose main objective is to improve dam safety and security has reached 82 percent completion, with significant milestones such as the 100 percent completion of the Plunge Pool Reshaping and 85 percent progress on Spillway Refurbishment works.
The Plunge Pool component of the KDRP was successfully completed during the course of the year while the rest of the works are expected to be completed in 2025.
Both governments through the ZRA have set sights on a solar plant on Lake Kariba as part of efforts to augment power supply whose demand has rose over the years due to massive industrial growth, particularly in Zimbabwe.
“In light of the need to diversify renewable energy sources, the Authority, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), is deliberating the construction of a Floating Solar Photovoltaic Plant on Lake Kariba. To date, AfDB has committed US$1 million for Feasibility Studies, and both the African Union and the European Union have expressed interest in co-financing this initiative.”
The Minister reported that through the Zambezi Valley Development Fund which was set up to assist communities displaced during the construction of Kariba dam, 79 projects had been completed during the 2020-2024 strategic period.
Meanwhile, his counterpart Zambian Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote said innovative and sustainable energy solutions with efforts reflecting the evolving climate needed to be employed to address the power shortage.
“The discussions and resolutions arising from this meeting will shape the trajectory of initiatives aimed at strengthening the resilience of the Kariba dam, optimising hydropower generation and fostering innovation through renewable energy projects.
“These efforts are crucial not only for addressing immediate challenges but also for ensuring the sustainability of our energy sectors amidst a rapidly evolving climate. Initiatives such as the Kariba dam rehabilitation project and advancements in renewable energy, including the proposed floating solar photovoltaic plant, reflect our unwavering commitment to innovative and sustainable energy solutions,” said Minister Chikote.
