Zambia’s power deficit is expected to widen by 42% next month as low water levels at Kariba dam affect hydropower production, according to reports by Bloomberg. The shortfall will increase to 1000MW from the current 700MW.
The Zambezi River Authority stated that the reservoir was 21% full as of the end of last week. This compares with 60% full for the same period last year.
Kariba Lake was created and designed to operate between levels 475.50m and 488.50m with 0.70m freeboard at all times. Lake levels have continued to drop and were at 478.51m on 7 November 2015; 5.15m lower than the level recorded last year on the same date.
