Lake Kariba is expected to experience lower water levels in the upcoming year, leading to a reduction in water allocation for both Zambia and Zimbabwe. This announcement was made by Energy Minister Peter Kapala during the 41st Council of Ministers meeting of the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) held in Livingstone.
In 2023, the initial water allocation for the two countries was set at 40 billion cubic meters but was later revised down to 30 billion cubic meters. The newly anticipated reduction will further decrease the allocation to 16 billion cubic meters in 2024. Minister Kapala attributed this decline in water levels to the El Niño climate pattern, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication by stakeholders to avoid misinformation.
The El Niño phenomenon, characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, often brings about irregular weather patterns, impacting precipitation and water levels in various regions.
Minister Kapala urged stakeholders to keep energy consumers informed about the situation, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address potential challenges associated with reduced water availability.
Despite the challenges posed by the anticipated El Niño, Minister Kapala shared positive news about progress in the feasibility study for a solar plant on Lake Kariba. Once implemented, this solar project is expected to contribute to cleaner energy generation, diversifying the sources of power in the region.
Zimbabwean Minister of Energy and Power Development, Edgar Moyo, echoed optimism amid the challenges, urging both countries to plan for various scenarios. He expressed satisfaction that, despite electricity shortages this year, Zambia and Zimbabwe successfully utilized the allocated water resources as managed by the Zambezi River Authority.
As the two nations navigate potential challenges in the coming year, collaborative efforts and strategic planning will play a crucial role in addressing the impact of the anticipated lower water levels in Lake Kariba on energy generation and water supply for both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
I thought things like these went with the PF to the dust bin.????
thot thought his auntie was his uncle too 🙂
I know you are too basic to see the mirth in my posting.
You guys are childish in your thinking. The experts have been warning about the effects of El Nino. This will lead to low rainfall and low water for power generation. So what is the problem here?
I have a pragmatic roadmap to restore the water level in Lake Kariba over a 5-year period. It entails recharging the riparian springs to be able to feed the Zambezi River during the dry months. This plan has been sent to people in power…..TO NO AVAIL! It was drawn up, and last discussed with, Prof Wangari Maathai, on the week that she was diagnosed with cancer.
P Rao don’t joke over such things. Water is life
A government full of lies just last week they denied any water shortages in lake Kariba and they said the situation in Zimbabwe is isolated …..in short he is telling Zambians to brace for massive loadsheding just like Zimbabwe
Lies have short legs
And Zesco can’t admit that they importing power.
I was planning to retire and move back to Zambia but now am having second thoughts
Government of lies led by liars
Oh so now GRZ is responsible for our weather paterns
Not to mention the chinese turbines using excessive water to power ratio
that was a bad purchase
But you expected Edgar Lungu to urinate in Kariba Dam, remember?
@ Tikki
How come it was PF responsibility to produce good weather patterns according to HH so what has changed now ???
But whats the meaning of this report? Allocation? “leading to a reduction in water allocation for both Zambia and Zimbabwe.” So whoever allocates water to the lake told the reporter there would be a reduction this year??
Who is the source of the reporter’s story? Who allocates water to the lake? Isnt that God?
Brace for serious load shedding and an increase in electricity price as we import expensive power without subsidy.
u look at ZRA website for water levels and see that it is very wrong, and actual water level is about 1.5 m lower than the graph. Very misleading