Zambia and Zimbabwe Endure Nationwide Blackouts Amid Energy Crisis

Zambia and Zimbabwe faced nationwide blackouts late Sunday, affecting electricity supply amid ongoing drought issues impacting the Kariba Dam. Both countries have been enduring electricity shortages, receiving approximately seven hours of power a day. Investigations regarding the outages are underway, while citizens increasingly turn to alternative energy sources.

Zambia and Zimbabwe experienced widespread power outages late Sunday evening, impacting citizens across both nations. Reports indicate that the electricity supply was interrupted around 8:15 PM local time in Zambia and approximately 8:25 PM in Zimbabwe. This outage comes at a time when both countries have been grappling with significant electricity shortages, receiving an average of only seven hours of power supply daily due to a prolonged drought affecting the Kariba Dam, their primary source of hydropower. Government officials from both nations have stated that teams are investigating the outage’s cause while restoration efforts are underway.

The Zambian government confirmed the outage, stating, “Government wishes to inform the nation that last night at 20:15 hours, a power outage occurred, affecting the entire country.” Fortunately, the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka reported no fatalities or severe incidents, as its backup systems functioned effectively, restoring power within thirty minutes. In Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Power Company acknowledged a disturbance in its national grid, leading to a similar blackout that lasted a brief period before most grid centers began operation again by morning.

Both countries are currently adversely affected by critically low water levels in the Kariba Dam, which were recorded at a mere 2.40 percent as of November 18, indicating the serious impact on hydroelectric power generation. The persistent energy crisis has caused a marked shift toward alternative energy sources, particularly solar energy, as citizens seek reliability in their electricity supply. As thermal power plants remain under strain, the urgency for sustainable power solutions becomes increasingly necessary.

The Kariba Dam is crucial for hydroelectric power generation in both Zambia and Zimbabwe, providing the majority of the electricity supply for these nations. However, ongoing drought conditions have led to critically low water levels in the dam, severely affecting power generation capabilities. As a result, both countries have faced rolling blackouts and energy shortages for several months, often only managing to supply approximately seven hours of electricity a day. This situation has compelled citizens and businesses to seek alternative energy sources, such as solar, to mitigate the adverse effects of the power crisis. The latest nationwide blackouts highlight the vulnerability of both countries’ energy sectors and the need for urgent intervention.

In summary, Zambia and Zimbabwe are currently facing severe electricity challenges exacerbated by drought conditions affecting the Kariba Dam, their principal source of hydropower. The simultaneous nationwide blackouts illustrate the systemic issues within their electricity supply frameworks and underline the critical need for innovative and sustainable energy solutions. Continued investigations into the causes of such outages will be essential as both nations strive to stabilize their power supply and enhance resilience against future disruptions.

Original Source: www.barrons.com