Kariba Dam Repairs Near Completion, Promising Relief for Energy Shortages in Zambia and Zimbabwe
Engineers at the Kariba Dam have successfully completed repairs to the structure’s plunge pool and have begun refilling it with water.
Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote announced that repairs to the dam are now 75% complete, a significant development for Zambia’s energy sector.
During a visit to the dam on Wednesday, the minister stated that the plunge pool repairs represent a crucial step in addressing the energy shortages affecting both Zambia and Zimbabwe in recent months.
The dam, jointly operated by the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, generates 2,010 MW of electrical power and is situated at the mouth of the Zambezi River as it flows into Lake Kariba. Rehabilitation works have been ongoing since 2017 and are expected to conclude in early 2025.
At a ceremony marking the completion of the plunge pool repairs, officials from the European Union, which has financed a significant portion of the work, commended both countries for their efforts.
Henrik Hololei, the Director General for the European Commission’s department for mobility and transport, emphasized that the repair works are essential for the development and modernization of the economies in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Kariba Dam is a vital component of Zambia’s energy production system. The ongoing drought has significantly reduced the dam’s power generation capacity, leading to a supply shortfall.
These repairs aim to enhance the dam’s efficiency and resilience against future droughts, ultimately supporting energy stability in the region.
