The Zambezi River Authority recently started a new five-year plan to manage Africa's fourth-longest river more effectively. This strategy follows the completion of repairs to the plunge pool that will extend the life of the Kariba Dam Wall. The Zambezi flows through eight different countries and supports farming, tourism, water systems, wildlife, and many local communities. Officials believe they can harness much more power from this important waterway.
Zambian Energy Minister Makozo Chikote stressed the need to develop more hydroelectric projects along the river. Dr. Gloria Magombo, who serves as board chairperson for ZRA and is the Permanent Secretary for Zimbabwe's Energy Ministry, delivered his message. Both Zimbabwe and Zambia jointly lead the ZRA through a partnership arrangement. Current power companies ZESCO Ltd and Zimbabwe Power Company use just one-third of the river's potential energy capacity.
Both nations plan to build the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme upstream from existing facilities. Additional dams would allow better management of water reserves throughout the river system. Engineers have identified Devil's Gorge and Mupata Gorge as excellent locations for future power stations. Zimbabwe needs over 1,900 megawatts of electricity daily, and Zambia requires 2,800 megawatts, with demand expected to reach 6,300 and 11,000 megawatts, respectively, by 2050.
Minister Chikote directed both power companies to follow their approved usage schedules for generating electricity. Water levels continue rising toward a target of 46 billion cubic meters this year. ZRA Chief Executive Officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa explained that despite improving water conditions, the authority will carefully monitor river flows. They plan to maintain current power generation limits until next month, when they can reassess the situation.
Zambian Energy Minister Makozo Chikote stressed the need to develop more hydroelectric projects along the river. Dr. Gloria Magombo, who serves as board chairperson for ZRA and is the Permanent Secretary for Zimbabwe's Energy Ministry, delivered his message. Both Zimbabwe and Zambia jointly lead the ZRA through a partnership arrangement. Current power companies ZESCO Ltd and Zimbabwe Power Company use just one-third of the river's potential energy capacity.
Both nations plan to build the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme upstream from existing facilities. Additional dams would allow better management of water reserves throughout the river system. Engineers have identified Devil's Gorge and Mupata Gorge as excellent locations for future power stations. Zimbabwe needs over 1,900 megawatts of electricity daily, and Zambia requires 2,800 megawatts, with demand expected to reach 6,300 and 11,000 megawatts, respectively, by 2050.
Minister Chikote directed both power companies to follow their approved usage schedules for generating electricity. Water levels continue rising toward a target of 46 billion cubic meters this year. ZRA Chief Executive Officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa explained that despite improving water conditions, the authority will carefully monitor river flows. They plan to maintain current power generation limits until next month, when they can reassess the situation.
