Falling levels in the Zambezi River initiated the need to import power for Zimbabwe, because the Zambezi River Authority had to ration water allocated to power generation. Zimbabwe imports 300 MW of power from Eskom (South Africa) each month, at a cost of US$0,14/KWh.
Daily national consumption of power is forecast at 1,400 MW in summer and 1,800 MW in winter. The average daily national power generation capacity is 956 MW, creating a power deficit for the nation. The US$ 533 million Kariba South expansion project is expected to obviate the need to import power.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority is currently prepaying US$ 6,5 million per month for imports from Eskom and Hydro Cahorra Bassa of Mozambique. This translates to US$78 million annually.
The Kariba South expansion project is expected to start feeding power into the grid by December 2017. The project, which is 60% complete, is being undertaken by China’s Sino Hydro. All underground excavations have been completed, except for the removal of intakes and outfall temporary protection coffer dams, which is currently in progress.
Electro-mechanical works are 50% complete and some major equipment has already been installed at site.
Zambia and Zimbabwe are jointly pursuing the Batoka Gorge project, as another initiative to increase power generation.
