The potential failure of the kariba dam is a southern africa regional risk that falls into the infrastructure risk category, but in addition it would lead to power supply constraints another key challenge currently impacting the region. Work on kariba south power station advanced the herald december 1, 2016 business reporter the expansion of kariba south power station is now 65 percent complete with the first unit expected to start electricity generation in the next 12 months, a senior official has said. The victoria falls electricity board, established in old coalfired thermal power station at zesco head office compound 15 mw the plant used imported coal and stopped operations after completion of kariba north bank hydropower station. A provision for the extension of the existing one was made during the planning and construction of the kariba north bank power station. Mar 15, 2018 quoted in a local weekly press, energy and power development minister, simon khaya moyo said unit 8 of kariba south hydro power station went on a test run for two weeks and is now waiting for its. Here dam is built on a large river that has a large drop in elevation. The kariba north power station was owned and operated by central africa power corporation capco which, in turn, was jointly owned by the governments of southern and northern rhodesia presently zimbabwe and zambia. These are projects that were properly planned and financed. The present project is the second stage of the kariba hydroelectric scheme.
Excavations of the foundations, construction of dam wall and power stations and the subsequent commissioning of the first generator took place between 1956 and 1960. Kariba south extension project to boost zimbabwes power grid. Three years later and despite many difficulties, including record breaking floods, the zambezi river was dammed and lake kariba began to form. To rectify the deficit in installed capacity, zimbabwe power company zpc launched an electricity generation expansion programme involving initially the improvement and expansion of the existing 920mw hwange coal power station and the extension of the existing 750mw kariba south hydropower station. The project will inject two 150 mw units at kariba south power station and two 300 mw units at hwange power station. The first power station at kariba was built on the south side of the river, but a 600megawatt station on the zambian side was completed in 1977, shortly after the completion of a 900megawatt station in the kafue gorge, south of lusaka.
A further 150mw would be added to the grid by march 2018. Kariba hydroelectric plant zambia, zimbabwe 1960 youtube. Nov 17, 2016 gwasira said the kariba south hydro power station was now 62% complete and it was anticipated that the first 150mw would be injected into the national grid december next year. The bulk supply is produced at the kariba dam hydroelectric power station 750 mw, at the hwange thermal power station 920 mw and at three smaller coalfired power stations, all of which are managed by the zesa subsidiary, the zimbabwe power company zpc. Kariba water levels threat to local electricity supply the. Kariba south extension project surge chamber the surge chamber is an 25 m diameter by 60. In august 1955, the then federal government of rhodesia and nyasaland zambia, zimbabwe and malawi called for tenders for the construction of the wall and power station was awarded to the italian consortium impresit on 16 july 1956. In zimbabwe, the energy and power development minister, dr samuel undenge, has made a confirmation that work on the kariba south extension project is progressing well. Existing thermal power stations harare selous hcb zesco kariba north phokojematimba songobindura kariba ipps existing and planned gas potential hydro potential future ines batoka. Small thermals 290mw strategic reserve for dispatch during winter peak and major outages at hwange and kariba. Kariba dam was designed by the french engineer and inventor andre coyne. We are happy with the progress and we know that the kariba south extension project is now 92% complete.
The site is the second largest hydropower plant in zesco, and was commissioned in 1976. The plant s generating capacity constitutes nearly 60% of the. Welcome to the energy regulation board of zambia website. At this spot the river flowed shiftly and deeply between two high rock faces. Hydroelectric power plant the other method to generate power is by gravity. Two power stations with a combined generation capacity of 20mw have been installed at the dam. Sino hydro will install two generators with a total capacity of 360 mw of power, increasing the capacity of the station. Dec 18, 2015 last week, the countrys power utility zesa announced that zimbabweans should brace for more power cuts. In september 2011, an energy and power conference was held in harare with the aim of boosting international awareness of the energy problems in zimbabwe and thus attract. Kariba south hydro power station project, which is expected to feed 150 megawatts mw into the national grid, is expected to be completed by december next year, while several other zesa holdings.
Zimbabwe has started generating 150 megawatts from the newly completed first unit of the kariba south extension project after the zimbabwe power company on monday commenced a sevenday test run of the 300 megawatt power station. Despite problems with pricing agreements between both countries, kariba power is still cheap in comparison to other sources of power in the region. Kariba power generation depressed sunday news may 14, 2017. In a company update, gwariro said kariba south extension registered the greatest success and this has led to the power company surpassing its power generation target. Aug 31, 2011 mahaku explained that all water flows from kariba dam are controlled by the zambezi river authority, which monitors levels, flow and the dam structure itself. Noah f gwariro managing director zimbabwe power company zimbabwe.
The major tributaries draining into lake kariba from this subcatchment are the gwaishangaan, sengwa, sanyati and nyaodza rivers, along with many smaller rivers arising either in the valley or from the escarpment. Flooding in the zambezi basin may put additional pressure on the kariba dam necessitating the release of water through the floodgates and may cause a delay in the rehabilitation project. The project which was initiated by the zimbabwe power company zpc due to an acute power shortfall in the country, is currently 85% complete the project will inject two 150 mw units at kariba south power station and two 300 mw units at hwange power station. The kariba power station has six units currently producing an average of 591 mw against installed capacity of 730 mw due to water rationing. Kariba south power station expansion to be completed december. A specialist in arch dams, he personally designed over 55 dams, kariba being one of them. For lake kariba, the zras telemetry stations serve as the early. Oct 24, 2017 the kariba south extension project in zimbabwe is on course for completion in 2018. The project is part of capcs development program for the years 196976, which consists of the construction of the kariba north power station, the expansion of the 330 kv transmission system in zambia and southern rhodesia, and the installation of additional. Mar 29, 2018 president emmerson mnangagwa yesterday commissioned two new power generating units at kariba south power station kps, which have added an extra 300 megawatts mw to the national grid. Kariba south extension project to be completed in 2018. May 09, 2002 the 128meterhigh kariba dam is one of africas biggest.
Our host for today, mahaku maloza, the project engineer for north kariba power station took us into the board room, and gave me a useful overview presentation. Kariba hydro power project on course the herald june 16, 2016 golden sibanda in kariba. The main purpose for the kariba dam at the time of its construction, and to this day, is to provide hydropower to the two countries that own the dam. Power generation in kariba dam could stop due to low water. Zimbabwe is heavily reliant on its coal and water resources to produce electricity. Aon is a corporate member of irmsa and proud to be part of this case study into the. North kariba hydro power station, zambia clairemchapman. The kariba hydroelectric plant is located in the former federation of rhodesia and nyasaland, on a gorge of the zambesi, which marks the boundary between northern and southern rhodesia, now zimbabwe and zambia. The zimbabwe lake kariba catchment has the highest slope factor of all its sub. Feb 22, 2016 zimbabwe may soon be plunged into darkness as dwindling water levels at its kariba dam threaten to stall electricity generation. The organisation dictates the water volume that can be used by each power station, and zesco normally pays a tariff based on flow. Sep, 2017 in zimbabwe, the energy and power development minister, dr samuel undenge, has made a confirmation that work on the kariba south extension project is progressing well.
Zambia kariba north hydroelectric project english the. Excavations of the foundations, construction of dam wall and power stations and the subsequent commissioning of. Dickson mangena, business reporter power generation at the kariba hydro power station has remained depressed with the facility generating at just 50 percent of the installed capacity as the dam did not receive much water inflow from the just ended rainy season. Kariba south power station 2 type of powerhouse underground number of units 6 type of turbine vertical shaft francis capacity of each unit 125 mw speed 166. Sep 23, 2016 the kariba hydroelectric plant is a doublecurvature concrete arch dam and a complex of underground works including penstocks, a power station, a transformer hall, expansion chambers, service.
Kariba north hydroelectric power station zambia geo. The dam wall at the kariba north bank power station zesco says the kariba power station will continue generating 500 mega watts instead of the normal 1 050 megawatts. Operated by the zambezi river authority on behalf of zimbabwe and zambia, it has been a cause for concern on a number of safety issues, including from its earliest days when the filling of its reservoir caused earthquakes, to more recent times when rumors began to surface that the huge dam had structural problems and suffered from. Zambia kariba north hydroelectric project english abstract. Expand capacity at hwange power station by 600 mw add 300 mw to the kariba dam hydroelectric power station these plans are being held back by the lack of resources zesa has. Zpc kariba power station september 27, 2019 please read the article below and learn of the hidden but powerful history of the town of kariba its inhabitants and how they helped shape historical events. Zesco limited and kariba north bank extension power corporation limited power purchase agreement. Both power stations were constructed in 1975 with a combined capacity of 1200 mw later upgraded to 1266 mw and recently increased to 1470 mw. Zimbabwe power company zpc managing director, noah gwariro says commissioning of unit 7 at kariba power station has pushed power output by 11. In 1955, it was decided to dam the zambezi river at the kariba gorge to. Extension of the 750 megawatt power station will add another 300mw to the national grid and is being undertaken to bridge the huge power deficit. The project which was initiated by the zimbabwe power company zpc due to an acute power shortfall in the country, is currently 85% complete. Kariba north hydroelectric power station zambia is located at lusaka, southern, zambia.
Work on kariba south power station advanced the herald. Kariba south extension project surge chamber the surge chamber is an 25 m diameter by 60 m high vertical shaft excavation turbine two verticalaxis francis units with a capacity of 150 mw each unit. The project was successfully completed and commissioned in march 2018, thereby making kariba south power station the biggest power generation plant in zimbabwe with a total generation capacity of 1050mw. The zimbabwe power company expects to conclude the funding agreement with china export and import bank for the expansion of kariba south hydropower plant before the end of this year. Copperbelt power company cpc and retailed it to consumers in the copperbelt distribution network. Lake kariba, zimbabwe, zambia 5,580 km2 kariba dam. President emmerson mnangagwa yesterday commissioned two new power generating units at kariba south power station kps, which have added an. Boasting 180 km3 of freshwater, lake kariba, located on the border between zambia and zimbabwe, is the largest reservoir in the world by volume. Introduction continued zpc operates four thermal power stations and one hydro power station with a. The energy regulation board erb has granted regulatory approval for a power purchase agreement between zesco limited and kariba north bank extension power corporation limited to supply power to zesco at peak hours for a period of 20 years. We would like to apologise to our valued consumers for the increase in loadshedding due to a technical fault at hwange power station and low water levels at lake kariba, zesa said last week. Each country has its own power station on the north and south bank of the dam respectively.
Construction work at the zimbabwe power companys kariba south power stations generation capacity extension is 50 percent complete with some key aspects of the project nearing completion. The hydroelectric power plant on kariba dam is of paramount importance for both african countries, providing considerable electricity to the population. The first unit was commissioned in 1976 and the last in 20. The kariba hydroelectric plant is a doublecurvature concrete arch dam and a complex of underground works including penstocks, a power station, a transformer hall, expansion chambers, service. Purpose the purpose of this paper is to communicate and share experiences with stakeholders on how the sustainability threats and challenges associated with managing lake kariba and the kariba. This power station is located in the workington area of the capital city along coventry. The following page lists all power stations in zimbabwe. In 2014, zpc embarked on a project to extend the existing plant by addition of two more units with a total generation capacity of 300mw. Felex share recently in kariba the expansion of kariba south power station is now uncertain with the zimbabwe power company and sinohydro of china wrangling about their contractual obligations. History of the building of lake kariba zambia tourism. Zpc operates four thermal power stations and one hydro power station with a combine installed capacity of 1960 hwange 920mw base load kariba 750mwload following system regulation small thermals 290mw strategic reserve for dispatch during winter peak and major outages at hwange and kariba.
In september 1956, engineers started excavation of the foundations for the dam and powerhouse for the power station on the south bank. This infrastructure is of type hydro power plant with a design capacity of 1080 mwe. Government impressed with works at kariba power project. Dec 31, 2014 for years the people living along its banks have depended on it for their survival and have harnessed its great power for electricity. The south bank power station is operated by zpc in zimbabwe and currently has an installed capacity of 750 mw, with projects underway to increase this to 1,050 mw. The first obvious major benefit of the kariba dam project was the generation of electricity through the hydroelectric dam. The kariba south extension project in zimbabwe is on course for completion in 2018. The kariba dam was the first to be built on the river and is.
Kariba south power station in 1955, it was decided to dam the zambezi river at the kariba gorge to supply power to zimbabwe and zambia. The kariba dam supplies 1,626 megawatts 2,181,000 hp of electricity to parts of both zambia the copperbelt and zimbabwe and generates 6,400 gigawatthours 23,000 tj per annum. Turbine speed 150 rpm generator directcoupled synchronous type, each generator rated at 180 mva, 50 hz, 0. The scoping report for the kariba case study identified a large number of issues for detailed study in. After more than 50 years of providing power for the southern african region, the kariba dam now requires a series of rehabilitation works for its continued safe.
The kariba dam evacuates excess water from the lake through its spillway made of 6 sluices located approximately 80 m above the river level downstream of the dam figure 1. Prior to installation of the kafue dam hydroelectric facility and the cahora bassa plant in mozambique, kariba was the only bulk supplier of hydropower to zambia and zimbabwe. Zesco limited officials inspect the kariba north bank power station extension programme, which is expected to increase the power generation capacity for zambia. Be it roads or power stations, only those started by the mmd will be completed. Kariba power station to continue generating power at.
Revenue from power generation partially funds debt repayment in zambia and zimbabwe. Can zambias crumbling kariba dam provide power for all. Kariba north bank extension knbe power station was then developed by a special purpose vehicle spv called kariba north bank extension power corporation limited wholly owned by zesco at an estimated cost. Lake kariba, zimbabwe, zambia 5,580 km2 kariba dam facts, map. Construction work at the zimbabwe power companys kariba south power station s generation capacity extension is 50 percent complete with. Kariba south power extension to boost economic development. Overview suppressed demand 1600mw reached 2100mw in 2006. Kariba dam was designed by the french engineer andre coyne. The countrys power utility zesa holdings says power generation. Zpc to expand kariba hydropower plant victoriafalls24. Kariba power generation depressed zimbabwe situation.