ZRA reduction of water allocated for electricity generation affecting both ZERA and ZESCO.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to reduce the power output by 5.3 percent to 445 megawatt. After Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) cut the water allocation for electricity generation. ZRA reduce the water allocated for ZERA  from 38 billion cubic metres to 36 billion cubic metres.

The reduction of the water was at anchor power station, Kariba South which is river basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe. According to ZRA, if water allocation at Kariba was not reduced, all power generators at Kariba would be forced to shut down by November 2019.

The Anchor power station currently produce  up to 1,080MW but there is never enough water for Zesa to run the station. The station also supply Zambian State-owned power utility, ZESCO. ZESCO is also affected by ZRA decision as they depend on Kariba for power.

ZRA has asked both  ZERA and ZESCO to produce power generation at Kariba at a maximum combined level of 890MW; or 445MW apiece. This is because the Dam will not be able to produce water above 1000MW.

The reduction by ZRA is to ensure that water continued to be available for power generation at Kariba. This is after observing adverse hydrological situation in Kariba Dam’s catchment area.

ZESA spokesperson Fullard Gwasira said “The reduction has an impact on national local generation. He also said that Kariba South is the anchor station in the country.”

According to him, ”The reduction will therefore mean that there is a demand and supply mismatch. Which we have to manage through load shifting or curtailment to ensure stability of the grid.”

Fullard Gwasira also said that plans are underway to fix and improve Hwange Power Station which should ordinarily be the anchor power station of the nation. He said that consumers should play their part and conserve energy, by switching off all unnecessary lights and electronic gadgets.

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