ZESCO faces $5M penalty for Kariba water overuse
Zambian electricity provider ZESCO Limited faces potential fines approaching $5 million after substantially surpassing its authorized water usage at Kariba Dam for electricity production by year’s end. The Zambezi River Authority projects the company will consume 4.7 billion cubic meters beyond its permitted share, triggering monetary sanctions totaling approximately $5.1 million.
ZESCO and Zimbabwe Power Company received equal portions of a combined 28 billion cubic meter allocation for 2025 power generation activities. Authority officials indicate that even a reduced excess of 2 billion cubic meters would result in penalties near $3.9 million while leaving only 1.6 billion cubic meters available for future reserves.
The Zambezi River Authority operates as a binational organization with shared ownership between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This body oversees Kariba Dam operations and manages water resources along the Zambezi River boundary. The facility supports two distinct hydroelectric installations: Kariba North Bank Power Station serves Zambia with 1,080 megawatts of generating capacity, while Kariba South Bank Power Station provides Zimbabwe with 1,050 megawatts of production capability.
