Zambia and Zimbabwe Face Nationwide Blackouts Amid Power Supply Crisis
Zambia and Zimbabwe suffered nationwide blackouts on Sunday evening, primarily attributed to insufficient electricity from the Kariba Dam due to drought. The Zambian government confirmed the outages affected the entire country, although key facilities maintained power via backup systems. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the disruptions, as both nations grapple with ongoing power shortages.
Late Sunday evening, both Zambia and Zimbabwe experienced widespread power outages due to a significant disruption in their electricity supply. Authorities reported that the outages occurred nearly simultaneously, with power supply being particularly challenged due to ongoing drought conditions affecting the Kariba Dam, the critical hydropower resource for both nations. The Zambian government confirmed via a statement that the blackout was felt nationwide, bringing attention to the challenges of insufficient electricity availability, which had already been reduced to approximately seven hours daily for months. Fortunately, the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka was able to maintain operations via backup systems, restoring power within thirty minutes. Investigations are currently being conducted to ascertain the cause of this recent outage.
Zambia and Zimbabwe rely heavily on the Kariba Dam for hydroelectric power, which has suffered from critically low water levels due to prolonged drought. As of November 18, the reservoir’s water level was recorded at a mere 2.40 percent, prompting both countries to contend with power shortages. The electricity supply situation has forced many individuals in these nations to explore alternative energy sources, particularly solar energy, as a solution to the recurrent blackouts and power supply constraints. The central authorities in both countries continue to investigate the technical aspects of the outages to improve reliability.
The nationwide blackouts experienced in Zambia and Zimbabwe highlight the pressing challenges faced by both nations due to their dependence on a failing hydropower system amid severe drought conditions. While emergency systems in essential facilities like hospitals managed to mitigate risks during the outage, the overarching concern remains the need for sustainable energy solutions. As investigations into the cause of the outage continue, both governments are tasked with finding ways to prevent such disruptions in the future and should consider diversifying their energy sources to ensure stability.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
