More water allocated for electricity generation

Lincoln Towindo

The Zambezi River Authority has increased water allocation to the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) for power generation following increased inflows into Kariba Dam during the first half of the year.

Water levels in the Kariba Dam have, however, begun receding as a result of decreased inflows during the dry winter season.

The ZRA manages the Zambezi River waters and maintains the Kariba Dam complex on behalf of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

In a statement Friday, ZRA chief executive Mr Munyaradzi Munodawafa said water allocation for both power utilities had been increased by four billion cubic metres.

The development is likely to result in increased power generation by both utilities.

“The lake level receded for most part of the first quarter of 2020 due to the delayed onset of the 2019/2020 rainfall season, which only effectively commenced in January 2020 instead of commencing in October 2019 as earlier forecasted by meteorological authorities,” said Mr Munodawafa.

“Following the commencement of the rains, the lake water levels began to increase starting on January 12 2020, with the lake level steadily rising from 476,71m which was barely 121 metres above the Minimum Operating Level (MOL) to reach a peak of 481,30 recorded on June 30 2020, with a corresponding usable storage of 26,94 billion cubic metres (BCM) or 41,57 percent live storage.

“Thereafter, the lake level started receding. As of July 16 2020, the lake level had receded to 481,21m, representing 40,89 percent live storage or 26,50 BCM of stored usable water.

“This left the lake level at 5,71m above the minimum operating level of 475,50m.”

At full capacity, Kariba Dam can hold about 65 billion cubic metres of water.

He said combined allocation for this year will reach 27 BCM.

“Following a review of the hydrological outlook at Kariba undertaken at the end of the second quarter of 2020, the Authority has since increased the water allocation for power generation operations at Kariba by four billion cubic metres (4BCM).

“As per the agreed operational framework for Kariba, the additional water allocation will be shared equally between ZPC and Zesco for their respective power generation operations at Kariba.

“This is an upward revision of the combined water allocation for the year 2020 from 23 BCM to 27 BCM.”