While Eskom as a contract with Zimbabwe to supply electricity, it cannot supply more than it does now. Image: Eskom/Pixabay
Zimbabwe on its own as Eskom is unable to supply more electricity
Eskom said that it is unable to supply Zimbabwe with more electricity than it is right now, as it does not have any access to capacity
While Eskom as a contract with Zimbabwe to supply electricity, it cannot supply more than it does now. Image: Eskom/Pixabay
Eskom spokesperson, Sikonathi Mantshantsha, stated that while the power utility has a contract with Zimbabwe to supply electricity, it cannot supply more than it does now as Eskom does not have any access to capacity, the Citizen reports.
Zimbabwe now on its own
Energy and political analyst, Tshepo Kgadima warned Zimbabweans to brace themselves for a dark Christmas.
This was after the closure of the Kariba South hydraulic power station on the Zambezi River.
This closure was due to a drop in water levels.
“I don’t know how they would do that under the current climate, previous years, let’s say seven, eight years ago, that was feasible, but today is not at all, it’s not feasible,” Kgadima said.
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South Africa has at least 22 000 megawatts shortage
Kgadima said that South Africa has at least 22 000MW shortage.
He said that 10 000MW cannot be taken out to give to Zimbabwe.
He further asked why nothing was done years ago to increase the hydro capacity of the river.
According to Kgadima, the closure is not permanent and will only be in effect until they recover from the rainfall.
Energy analyst, Ted Blom, agreed with Kgadima’s statements.
He said that Zimbabwe and Zambia have experienced a power deficit because their rains were less than usual.
Update on water levels at lake Kariba in Zimbabwe
According to the Zambezi River Authority, one of Kariba’s power stations has run out of usable water for generating electricity and should cease operations immediately, Voa Zimbabwe reports.
As of 25th November 2022, Kariba South Bank Power Station had utilised 23.89 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) of water, accounting for 1.39 BCM (or 6.16%) above the 2022 water allocation of 22.50 BCM.
Munyaradzi said if the current water utilisation at Kariba South Bank Power Station continues, the remaining water for power generation at Kariba will run out by mid-December 2022 if not earlier.
Back home in South Africa, our load shedding woes still continue.
Stage 2 will be implemented daily from 16:00 throughout the night to 05:00 the following morning until further notice.
ALSO READ: Load shedding for TUESDAY: Here’s the UPDATED schedule
