KARIBA Dam is now left with capacity to generate power for only 165 days, unless significant water inflows are recorded in the next few months, a Zesa Holdings official has said.
Speaking during a tour of Kariba Power Station last Friday, the power station's general manager, Kenneth Maswera said water levels in the dam were now at 477,15m which is 1,65m above the minimum power generation threshold. He said these were the lowest levels recorded since the 1992 drought.
Maswera said power generation at Kariba Hydropower Station had further declined to 285MW against a generation capacity of 750 megawatts (MW) due to dwindling water levels in Kariba dam.
Maswera said Kariba power generation was constructed and designed to operate between 475,5m and 488,50m.
He said the expansion of Kariba South Power Station, which was expected to add 300MW into the national grid was now 40% complete.
The $533 million expansion project, which includes development costs to be met by Zimbabwe Power Company, is being undertaken by a Chinese firm, Sino Hydro and is targeted for completion by 2018.
According to reports, to date, China Exim Bank has disbursed the first tranche of about $100 million under the engineering procurement contract valued at $354 million.
Zimbabwe is generating 1 355MW, with Hwange producing 341MW, Kariba 285MW, Harare 17MW and Munyati 28MW. Imports contributed 450MW against a forecast demand of 1 375MW.
Zambezi River Authority chief executive officer, Munyaradzi Munodawafa said the situation at Kariba was bad.
- News Day
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