Zimbabwe: Kariba Power Water Allocation Slashed to 23 Billion Cubic Metres for 2027

What the report says

The Zambezi River Authority has cut water allocated for power generation at Kariba Dam to 23 billion cubic metres for 2027, according to a report distributed by AllAfrica from New Zimbabwe. The reduced amount will be split evenly between Zambia’s ZESCO and Zimbabwe Power Company, leaving each utility with 11.5 billion cubic metres. The decision comes as authorities warn that El Niño-linked weather patterns could bring a drier-than-normal season across parts of southern Africa.

The report said the allocation was based on forecasts from the Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum and national meteorological agencies in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Those forecasts point to below-normal rainfall from October 2026 through March 2027, with particularly dry conditions expected in southern Zambia and much of Zimbabwe. ZRA acting chief executive Peter Kapinga said the agency was acting on these outlooks and would keep monitoring water use closely.

The lower allocation follows a larger 2026 allowance of 36 billion cubic metres, which was increased from an earlier 30 billion after stronger inflows during the 2025/2026 rainy season. Even so, the authority projected that Lake Kariba could end 2027 at a much lower usable-water level than it holds now, underscoring the dam’s sensitivity to rainfall patterns and its importance to electricity supply in both countries.

The report also said ZRA plans to continue daily oversight and work through joint technical meetings with the two utilities to manage compliance and adjust operations if conditions change.