Yesha
Senior Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 168
- 93
The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has cut water allocation for electricity generation at Kariba Dam by 36% for 2027, raising concerns over power supplies in Zimbabwe and Zambia amid forecasts of below-normal rainfall.
The authority has allocated 23 billion cubic metres (BCM) of water for power generation next year, down from 36 BCM in 2026. Zimbabwe and Zambia will each receive 11.5 BCM, compared with 18 BCM allocated to each country this year.
The reduction comes as Zimbabwe continues to rely on Kariba South Power Station as a key source of electricity.
According to Zimbabwe Power Company's daily generation statistics for October 14, Kariba was producing 415 megawatts (MW), accounting for approximately 26% of the country's available power supply of 1,577MW.
The lower allocation follows forecasts of below-normal rainfall during the 2026/27 rainy season due to El Niño conditions, which could limit water inflows into Lake Kariba.
Usable water in the reservoir is projected to fall to just 9% of live storage by December 2027.
The reduced allocation could constrain hydropower generation, depending on rainfall, reservoir inflows and water usage. However, the allocation alone does not establish how much electricity Zimbabwe will generate or whether load shedding will increase.
The development places renewed focus on the need for reliable alternative power sources as Zimbabwe prepares for another rainfall season expected to be affected by dry conditions.
The authority has allocated 23 billion cubic metres (BCM) of water for power generation next year, down from 36 BCM in 2026. Zimbabwe and Zambia will each receive 11.5 BCM, compared with 18 BCM allocated to each country this year.
The reduction comes as Zimbabwe continues to rely on Kariba South Power Station as a key source of electricity.
According to Zimbabwe Power Company's daily generation statistics for October 14, Kariba was producing 415 megawatts (MW), accounting for approximately 26% of the country's available power supply of 1,577MW.
The lower allocation follows forecasts of below-normal rainfall during the 2026/27 rainy season due to El Niño conditions, which could limit water inflows into Lake Kariba.
Usable water in the reservoir is projected to fall to just 9% of live storage by December 2027.
The reduced allocation could constrain hydropower generation, depending on rainfall, reservoir inflows and water usage. However, the allocation alone does not establish how much electricity Zimbabwe will generate or whether load shedding will increase.
The development places renewed focus on the need for reliable alternative power sources as Zimbabwe prepares for another rainfall season expected to be affected by dry conditions.
