Hydroelectric Power Shortages in Zambia

The River Zambezi flows through 8 riparian states, including  Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Lake Kariba, the largest man made lake, is connected to the Kariba dam which produces Zambia's hydroelectric power.

Zambia is almost a self-sufficient nation in sources of electricity, coal, biomass and renewable energy. produces 90% of its electricity production from hydroelectric sources, which is a huge success (World Bank, 2014). The expansion of hydropower is thought to be vulnerable to increasing demands in irrigated agriculture upstream. Climate change is  projected to add increased pressures, with water demand rising due to more varied rainfall patterns.

On whole it is positive that Zambia is hardly reliant on fossil fuels, (however is still reliant on kerosene and coal for cooking), but a diversification of their electricity generation would be ideal to reduce risk exposed in case of changes in climatic conditions. This was reflected in 2016, when insufficient water resources led to an average of 8 hours of power lost every day, increasing imports by over 100%.

Zambia's hydropower therefore has proved to be unreliable as it is vulnerable to changes in climate variability, resulting in droughts. In 2016, this became a reality when a drought reduced hydroelectric power significantly, as a result of the drying of the Lake Kariba. The inadequate supply led to nation wide power rationing in Zambia. This has had an effect on the agricultural sector.

Agriculture is an important sector in Zambia’s economy accounting for 12% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing two-thirds of the labour force. Modern agriculture is reliant on machinery and equipment requiring electricity, therefore shortages in electricity have adverse effects on the agricultural economy sector.

For Livestock + Poultry:

This meant producers depending on automated systems (ie. Operating automatic feeders and heating water) were left with no production during hours of restricted power.

The most striking issue stated by Samboko et. Al was that power shortages can be anywhere between 6-14 hours. Egg production is stimulated by the presence of light, hence the common (yet inhumane) technique over exposure to light increases egg production rapidly. However, some Zambian farmers reported reductions in egg production of 25% due to light loss from the power restrictions. This results in a significant loss in profit, mainly from layer farms (egg producers) due to generator costs.

For Dairy Industry:

A lot of post processing required for dairy products, such as cooling milk, pasteurisation. Alongside this, a reduction in feed for the cows due to lack of water can reduce the cows weight, consequently effecting the yield of milk. 

For Crops:

Crops requiring additional processing, with generator and motors that require diesel costs have risen. However, issues arise when cost of purchasing potatoes has not risen to compensate for this rise in processing.

Solutions:

An increase in government funding for farmers requiring alternative generators would enable farmers to be more self sufficient in times power shortages, preventing loss of income. Demand for electricity is projected to triple by 2030. Speculation of reducing hydropower dependency by implementing solar power will diversify the energy mix and reduce the vulnerability of the agricultural sector to reduction in power. Zambia receive close to 3000 hours of sunshine per annum, double the UK's average. The main barriers to solar power generation is high costs, however, this seems like a wise investment to prevent the crash of many industries requiring electricity for production in the future.

For further information on the Hydroelectric power in Zambia on a whole, see Michael Chiseni's speech below: