Zambia: Kariba dam water levels down by 15% prompting power crisis

Zambia’s Kariba dam has recorded its lowest water levels despite frequent rainfall received in most parts of the country.

Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) released its latest statistics indicating that the country’s main source of hydro-electricity power was now at 17 percent compared to the 32 percent during the same period in 2015.

Earlier statistics released in January indicated that the dam’s water levels dropped to as low as 11 percent, due to erratic rains received this past rainy season, forcing Zambezi River Authority to reduce water allocation for generation of power to both Zimbabwe and Zambia.

This has also affected hydro-electric production in the country.

The current power crisis has seen the government ordering major mining companies and other large electricity consumers to reduce consumption by up to 25 percent. According to local media in Zambia, Sweden is expected to sign a 264 million Kwacha grant with the Zambian government for the rehabilitation of the Kariba dam that is becoming depleted.

AFP