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Power generation at Kariba South Hydropower Station is set to rise to around 500 megawatts (MW) this winter, following an improved water allocation from the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) to Zimbabwe’s power utility, Zesa.
The hydropower facility is currently producing approximately 400MW daily, but Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo told Parliament on Wednesday that better water inflows into Lake Kariba in recent months had allowed the ZRA to increase the allocation to both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
“We have been allocated water enough to generate 485MW by ZRA,” said Minister Moyo during a Question and Answer session. “However, we can even produce about 500MW so that winter crop farmers have adequate electricity, while being mindful we do not exhaust our annual allocation.”
The increase in water levels at Lake Kariba — from under 7 percent earlier this year to over 16 percent — has offered both countries more flexibility in electricity production. The ZRA monitors water inflows into the lake from the Zambezi River and other tributaries, setting annual maximum usage volumes for power generation to ensure sustainable levels are maintained.
“We are now confident that the ZRA will be able to increase what it allows both Zesa and Zambia’s Zesco to generate,” Minister Moyo said. “We think that with tight management, we can assure wheat growers that they will not be switched off.”
To support farmers during the winter cropping season, the government is encouraging the installation of prepaid electricity meters. Minister Moyo said this would ensure reliable electricity access throughout the season.
“It is for their benefit to have electricity prepaid meters,” he explained. “At financial institutions where they are getting seed and fertilisers, they can also get assistance on getting prepaid electricity meters. This way, they are guaranteed of always having electricity.”
The government has ambitious targets under its 2025 winter cereals programme — including 600,000 tonnes of wheat, 39,000 tonnes of barley, and 236,000 tonnes of potatoes — which require a stable power supply.
As of Friday, Zimbabwe’s total electricity generation stood at 1,619MW. Hwange Power Station accounted for the bulk of it with 1,176MW, Kariba contributed 400MW, and independent power producers added 43MW.
Zimbabwe has faced chronic power shortages in recent years due to droughts and ageing infrastructure. However, output has improved significantly to between 800MW and 1,000MW per day, largely due to the commissioning of Hwange Units 7 and 8 last year.
