Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
POWER generation at the Kariba South Hydropower Station is projected to triple to about 750 megawatts this year following a significant recovery in Lake Kariba water levels, a development expected to ease load shedding and stabilise electricity supplies across the country.
Kariba South is generating about 250MW, slightly above last year’s average output, which was severely constrained by the El Niño induced drought that affected southern Africa — the worst in more than 40 years.
The improved hydrological outlook comes as Zimbabwe’s overall power supply has also been strengthened by the full commissioning in 2023 of Hwange Thermal Power Station Units 7 and 8, which together added 600MW to the national grid.
With national electricity demand estimated at about 2 200MW, the combined output from Kariba and Hwange is expected to substantially narrow the supply gap in 2026, easing pressure on households, industry and commercial activity.
This comes as Zimbabwe is also accelerating preparations for two major power generation projects — the 1 200MW Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme and a 600MW Kariba Floating Solar Power Plant — which are projected to add a combined 1 800MW to the national grid in the medium term.
Authorities say these investments will transform Zimbabwe’s energy security, reduce reliance on electricity imports and provide long term resilience against climate induced hydrological shocks.
Speaking after touring the Kariba South Power Station on Tuesday, Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo — who also chairs the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) — said rising water levels were a positive development, but noted that long term investments in energy infrastructure remained essential.
“Last year, we experienced a severe drought that negatively affected power generation. However, the continued rise in Lake Kariba’s water levels gives us confidence that production will improve this year. Hydropower remains the cheapest form of electricity in Zimbabwe, and ZPC (Zimbabwe Power Company) is targeting to raise output to about 750MW,” said Minister Moyo.
Lake Kariba has an installed generation capacity of 1 050MW, although two units at Kariba South are at present not operational. Improved water availability is expected to ease generation constraints, enabling ZPC to progressively ramp up output.
ZRA senior manager for Water Resources and Environmental Management, Engineer Boniface Mfula, said hydrological conditions in the Kariba catchment had improved markedly compared to last year.
“The Kariba catchment has performed very well this season, with river inflows rising to above 50 percent compared to the same period in 2025,” said Engineer Mfula.
He said the improved inflows reflect above normal rainfall across the Zambezi basin, which feeds Lake Kariba, resulting in higher reservoir levels and increased water allocation for power generation.
“These positive projections translate into increased water allocation to the Zimbabwe Power Company and Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) for power generation.”
The ZRA, which jointly manages Lake Kariba on behalf of Zimbabwe and Zambia, has welcomed the improved inflows as a major boost to regional energy security.
Buoyed by the positive hydrological trend, Zimbabwe is fast tracking plans to expand electricity generation along the Zambezi River, with the Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme emerging as the flagship project.
The Batoka project, a joint venture between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is planned as a 2 400MW hydro electric station to be constructed downstream of Kariba Dam.
Once completed, the facility is expected to supply power to both countries, with surplus electricity exported into the Southern African Power Pool.
The project is also expected to create thousands of jobs during the construction phase and stimulate economic activity across tourism, mining and manufacturing sectors in both countries.
In addition, feasibility studies are under way for the establishment of a large scale floating solar power plant on Lake Kariba, as part of a broader strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce over reliance on hydropower.
Zimbabwe is planning a 600MW Kariba Floating Solar Power Plant, which will utilise photovoltaic panels mounted on floating platforms on the lake’s surface.
The system is designed to generate electricity during daylight hours while reducing water evaporation from the reservoir, thereby complementing hydropower generation.
Minister Moyo said Presidents Mnangagwa and Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema have directed their respective energy and finance ministries to fast track the Batoka project.
“This is where we will generate even more hydropower than Kariba, benefiting both Zimbabwe and Zambia,” he said.
Minister Moyo added that the availability of key construction materials within the region enhances the project’s viability, citing Zimbabwe’s Manhize Iron and Steel Plant for structural steel and Zambia’s strong cement production capacity for dam and civil works.
He also reiterated Government’s preference for floating solar technology along the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba.
“A floating solar power plant would allow us to continue producing electricity even when dam levels decline. Afreximbank has availed funds for the feasibility study, which will also assess potential environmental impacts on aquatic life and the broader ecosystem,” Minister Moyo said.
Currently, Zimbabwe’s electricity generation is anchored on coal fired power from Hwange Thermal Power Station and hydropower from Kariba.
While independent power producers have begun to feed solar energy into the grid, overall output continues to fall short of national demand.
However, with improving water inflows, strengthened regional cooperation and renewed investment in alternative energy sources, authorities believe Zimbabwe is now moving onto a firmer trajectory towards long term energy stability.
