ZESCO Limited says it is optimistic that load shedding will significantly reduce by July this year, owing to improved water inflows into the Kariba Dam and prudent water usage.
The power utility disclosed that it used 3.3 billion cubic metres of water out of the 13.5 billion cubic metre allocation from the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) in the first quarter of 2025, representing 27% of the total annual allocation.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement at the Kariba North Bank Power Station in Siavonga this morning, Senior Station Manager, Christopher Singogo, said water levels in the dam are steadily rising due to increased inflows from the Zambezi River.
He noted that the lake level has increased from 475.77 metres above sea level at the end of 2024 to 477.96 metres as of May 18, 2025, a rise of 2.19 metres.
“In the absence of a revised allocation from ZRA, ZESCO will manage its water use to sustain an average power output of 343 megawatts, aligned with recommended limits, within its installed capacity of 1,080 megawatts by the end of the year,” said Mr. Singogo.
He expressed confidence that with the expected review of water allocations by ZRA in the coming weeks, power generation will improve, easing the current load shedding burden by July.
By Christabel Kamunu.
