Faced with one of the worst droughts, Namibia’s electricity generation has dropped to below 40% of its capacity. Hydro power plants have been the biggest domestic power source for Namibia. The drought rated as one of the worst drought in almost a century has hit the country’s electricity generation from hydropower plants.
NamPower, the State power firm reported that electricity generation at Namibia’s only hydropower plant currently dipped to around 90 megawatts and 160 megawatts, against an installed capacity of 374 megawatts. NamPower has cut down generation at the plant during peak hours to save water.
Water utility Namwater, said, Namibian dams reported last week at 19.3% of capacity compared to 35.6% last year reportedly due to climate change and a five-year drought in southern Africa. The Kariba hydroelectric plant, which serves Zimbabwe and Zambia and is fed by the Zambezi river, has also been critically hit by fall in water levels.Zambezi River Authority apprehend that the Kariba might have to reduce generation drastically,even to the point of the plant shuts down.
The power crisis is compounded by Namibia’s heavy reliance on the crisis ridden South Africa power company Eskom. Namibia relies on Eskom for 70% of its energy requirements.
