Kariba Dam Spillway Hit Key Milestone

Key Figures & Findings: The Kariba Dam Spillway Refurbishment has reached a critical milestone with the commissioning of Sluice 2—part of a USD 300 million multi-donor rehabilitation program safeguarding Southern Africa’s largest hydropower asset. Built in 1960, the 2,010 MW dam—jointly operated by Zambia and Zimbabwe—generates power for over 50 million people and anchors the regional grid. Swiss engineering firm Gruner Stucky, leading the complex EPC works since 2019, has conducted major structural overhauls without reducing reservoir levels, using high-risk underwater cofferdam techniques. Financiers include the World Bank, AfDB, and the Swedish government, providing grants and concessional loans to prevent what experts once called “an impending collapse risk” due to spillway degradation. The works are hailed as one of Africa’s most ambitious dam safety efforts in decades and a test case for transboundary infrastructure resilience.

Insights: The dam’s six sluices are being modernized under a project co-financed by the World Bank, African Development Bank, and the Swedish Government. Initial commissioning tests on Sluice 2 show positive results, confirming key performance parameters as the project nears completion.

Future Implications: By 2025, the refurbished spillway could significantly reduce failure risk and extend the dam’s lifespan, stabilizing electricity supply for over 50 million people. With all six sluices nearing completion, Zambia and Zimbabwe may jointly secure long-term energy reliability and avoid climate-induced disruptions to hydropower flows.

Source: WaterPower Magazine