Zambia Faces a Climate-Induced Energy Crisis

A severe drought has left the Kariba dam in Zambia with extremely low water levels, exposing its 128-meter-high dam wall and significantly reducing its hydroelectric power generation. The dam, which provides over 80% of Zambia's national electricity supply, is now only able to operate one of its six turbines, resulting in less than 10% of normal output. This has led to a climate-induced energy crisis, with millions of people in Zambia facing power outages that can last for days. The power crisis is having a significant impact on the economy and the battle against poverty, with some describing it as worse than the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Africa is the most vulnerable continent to extreme weather events and climate change, despite contributing the least to global warming. The drought in southern Africa is the worst in decades, causing widespread crop damage and hunger, and prompting Zambia and other countries to declare national disasters and seek aid. Hydroelectric power makes up a significant portion of the energy mix in several African countries, including Mozambique, Malawi, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Congo. However, experts warn that overreliance on hydroelectric power is no longer sustainable due to extreme weather patterns, including prolonged droughts. The water level in the Kariba dam normally rises six meters after the rainy season, but it only increased by less than 30 centimeters after the last rainy season. Experts say that Zambia's drought-induced power problems are likely to worsen, and it is no longer safe to rely on a changing climate.