Several Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Zimba District say they are elated with continued power supply in the area thanks to the rising water levels at the Kariba North Bank.
The SMEs are of the view that this time around the water levels will rise steadily to above-normal rainfall.
Joseph Moonde, a Wielder at Zimba Main market remains hopeful that dam water levels will rise significantly this year based on the forecasts from Government Weather Experts.
In an interview with ZANIS, Mr Moonde said that electricity generation will now be sustained which will ensure that his business will run profitably.
And Mary Chipego, who runs a saloon shop at Mawaya market, expressed gratitude that ‘power blues’ has significantly improved , compared to the last quarter of 2024.
“This rainfall pattern currently being experienced is good for us SMEs who largely depend on electricity to operate. The continued rainfall this season will bolster power generation at Kariba dam,” she said.
Meanwhile, Zimba Main Market Chairman Osborne Mukoshya said continued rise in water levels at Kariba Dam has a positive impact on power generation in the country.
Mr Mukoshya commended the government for the strides it is making in the energy sector.
“I commend the Government for the measures it has put in regards to energy mix. With increased water levels at Kariba, it means the power plant will generate more electricity in this rainy season where normal to above-normal rainfall has been predicted,” he said.
Recently, both ZESCO Board Chairperson Vicson Ncube and Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) confirmed that water levels at Kariba dam have steadily risen to 475,87 metres.
This reflects a 2,60 percent improvement in usable storage capacity for power production.
Mr. Ncube explained that despite the increment on water level at the dam, he cautioned members of the general public that it is premature to assume that the power crisis in Zambia.
TheKariba Dam that is shared equally between Zambia and neighbouring Zimbabwe for power generation.
The structure is designed to operate optimally between levels of 475,50 metres and 488,50 metres for hydropower generation.
In the 2023/2024 experienced season, both countries had been grappling with frequent load shedding due to depressed output at Kariba, the major power generation facility forcing the two countries into a significant strain to implement prolonged power rationing measures on their national grid.
