The Zambia Government says the Kariba has enough water to sustain power generation. This is despite reports of predicated below normal rains in the 2018/2019 rainfall season. According to the Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary, Emelda Chola, by the end of last month Lake Kariba was recording approximately 11m of water above the minimum operating level.
Brigadier General Chola was speaking during a press briefing held at the Kariba House in Lusaka during the weekend. She disclosed that the Kariba Dam water levels are likely to close the year 2018 at nearly eight meters above the minimum operating level.
She further added that the Zambezi River Authority Board held a meeting in August. The topics of discussion included among other issues the predicated below normal rains for the whole of the Zambezi River Basin. This is for the 2018/2019 rainy season with reference to the projected El Nino effect.
Brig Gen Chola also emphasized that the board reiterates its continued commitment to the undertaking of sustainable reservoir operations at Kariba Dam. For instance, she assured that there will be no loading shedding since the Kariba Dam water levels are able to sustain the power generation.
Meanwhile, Brig Gen Chola who is also Zambezi River Authority Board Co-Chairperson expressed delight at the ongoing progress of rehabilitation at Kariba Dam. She further said the Plunge Pool reshaping works are scheduled to be completed in 2022.
According to media reports, works of reshaping of the plunge pool and refurbishment of the 6 spillway gates at Kariba Dam are expected to be completed by 2021 and 2022 respectively at the total cost of US $294m
