adminHarare Bureau
ZESA Holdings might reduce further the power generation at Kariba Power Station as the current water levels at the lake keep falling.
Zesa and its Zambian equivalent Zambia Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO) were allocated 45 billion cubic meters of water this year but there is a likelihood of a further reduction to 10-15 billion cubic meters, a situation that effects a reduction in power generation by the two utilities.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce business breakfast yesterday, Zesa chief executive Engineer Josh Chifamba said Kariba remains the anchor power generation plant for Zesa because it is a value driver for both the investor and customers.
“The amount of water allocated to Zesa and ZESCO is 45 billion cubic meters for this year and that allocation has since been reduced. This will see us producing 475 megawatts against the previous 750 megawatts.
“It is likely that next year, between the two utilities, ZRA will make available about 10 -15 billion cubic meters which will then move our generation downwards to about 245 MW,” said Engineer Chifamba.
“In the mix of our generation capacity, Kariba has the lowest cost of production. So if we lose Kariba then we also lose value. The fact is that any alternative solution that comes will always have a higher cost compared to Kariba.”
Online Reporter