Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has allocated 30 Billion Cubic Metres (BCM) of water for electricity production at Lake Kariba for the 2026 operational year, a significant move set to bolster regional power generation.
This allocation represents a substantial increase from previous years and is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the energy sectors of both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The announcement was made by Engineer Christopher Chisense, the Acting Chief Executive of the ZRA, who detailed the Authority’s hydrological outlook and water allocation plan.
“The Authority has allocated a total of 30 Billion Cubic Metres (BCM) of water for power generation at Lake Kariba for the year 2026. This allocation will be equally shared between ZESCO Limited of Zambia and the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), with each utility utilising 15 BCM of water,” he said.
This decision is a positive development, marking a 2 BCM increase from the 2025 allocation, which was initially set at 27 BCM and later revised to 28 BCM.
Eng Chisense attributed the increased allocation to the normal to above normal rainfall forecast for the 2025/2026 rainy season, as projected by regional climate experts.
The 2024/2025 season, while bringing normal rainfall to the Kariba Catchment, still resulted in lake levels that were relatively lower compared to historical years.
However, Eng Chinense noted that the situation was an improvement over the severe drought that negatively impacted the region in 2024.
While the water allocation is a critical step towards stabilising power generation, Eng Chinense clarified that the authority’s role is not power generation.
“The Authority wishes to clarify that while it allocates water for power generation, it does not generate electricity nor manage load distribution,” he said.
The ZRA has committed to ongoing monitoring of the catchment through its network of thirteen stations and will provide regular updates as the upcoming rainy season progresses.
This increased water allocation offers hope for consumers and industries in both nations, potentially signalling a period of improved power reliability from the Kariba South and North power stations.
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