Zambezi River Basin

of which about 5 000 MW has been developed (Tumbare 2004). More than half of this potential is in Mozambique, about one-quarter in Zambia and one-sixth in Zimbabwe (SADC and ZRA 2007). The Cahora Bassa, Kariba and Kafue Gorge dams provide the bulk of the basin’s hydropower, generating 2 075 MW, 1 470 MW and 990 MW of electricity, respectively (World Bank 2010).

The Kapichira Falls hydro station on the Shire River in Malawi is one of the smallest power stations in the Zambezi River Basin. The plant generates 64 MW (World Bank 2010) but there are plans to double output. Other smaller hydro plants are Nkula Falls and Tedzani in Malawi and Victoria Falls in Zambia, which generate 124 MW, 90 MW and 108 MW, respectively (World Bank 2010). 

© P. Johnson, SARDC

The largest hydropower plant in the Zambezi basin is at Cahora Bassa, Mozambique. The plant, which generates 2 075 MW of electricity, is the second biggest in Africa after Aswan.

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