Water levels in the Kariba continue to increase rising above the Minimum Operating Levels due to the incessant rains received in the Southern African region However, the Zambezi River Authority has not increased the water allocation for hydro-electricity power generation for both Zimbabwe and Zambia The ZRA, a bi-National organization mandated to contribute to the economic, industrial and social development of Zambia and Zimbabwe, allocates water to both countries for hydro-electricity power generation In a statement, ZRA chief executive Engineer Munyaradzi Munodawafa the lake levels have continued rising due to increased rainfall activity in the Kariba catchment
“From the last update made on 19th January 2021, the lake levels have increased by a total of 3.96 meters from the lake level of 476.80m recorded on January 19th to a lake level of 480.76 meters recorded on 2nd March 2021 “This has placed the lake level at 5.26m above the Minimum Operating Level (MOL) of 475.50m This lake level recorded on 2nd March 2021 translates into usable storage or live storage of 24.31 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) “Last year on the same date, the Lake level was lower at 477.17m with 7.48BCM of usable water or 11.55 percent live storage.”
He, however, said ZRA has maintained the 30 billion cubic meters of water allocation for power generation operations at the dam based on the meteorological projections of normal to above normal rains during the season
The allocation, which was increased from 27 billion cubic meters in November last year, is shared equally between Zambia’s ZESCO Limited and the Zimbabwe Power Company for their respective power generation operations at Kariba “However, the Authority continues to monitor the evolving hydrological situation under the Kariba catchment This is being undertaken, taking cognisance of the increased rainfall activity, and resulting water levels at Kariba dam, with the view of making consideration regarding the possibility of revising the water allocation at Kariba dam,” Munodwafa said.
Source: Theanchor
