- ZRA to maintain water allocation for electricity generation
- Allocates 42bcm to Zimbabwe and Zambia
The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has stated that it will maintain its water allocation to Zimbabwe and Zambia. In addition, the ZRA stated that it would allocate 42 billion cubic meters (bcm) of water to both countries for electricity generation at the Kariba power station. This comes as both countries have been affected by the lake water level recession at Lake Kariba.
The ZRA is a binational organization that manages the benefits of River Zambezi for the beneficiary countries. The River Zambezi, which borders Zambia and Zimbabwe, provides water to generate electricity for both countries. The ZRA had, in June, announced an increase in the water allocation to Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and the Zambia Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO), adding 12bcm for power generation until the end of the year.
In a statement, the ZRA acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Edward Kabwe said, “The 12bcm increase in water allocation announced on June 25, 2021, shared equally between the two power utilities, ZESCO Limited and the Zimbabwe Power Company, for their respective power generation at Kariba North Bank Power Station and Kariba South Bank Power Station will be sustained for the rest of the year 2021,”
“The Authority will continue to observe the hydrological situation of the Kariba Catchment and manage the Kariba Reservoir to ensure continued availability of water for power generation operations,” added Kabwe.