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Mid-Year Update 2024
SOLAR POWER
...but there is a little GLITCH!
THE effects off the 2023 DROUGHT
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LAKE KARIBA DAM
The”Plunge Pool’ at Lake Kariba Dam. This is one of 3 reservoirs that produce over 95% of Zambia’s electrical power. This dam produces over 35% of that total. The electric company (ZESCO) is using this opportunity to do some repair works on the “Plunge Pool”. The lake levels are lower than those gates that produce flow for hydro-electric generation. It will take 3-6 months from the day the rains re-start to reach the levels suitable for producing power again.
We are looking at very-little-to-zero power until at least March, 2024.
TODAY: This is early September. We do not expect any relief unit mid-to-late October. The national forecasts calls for slightly higher-than-normal rainfall totals this coming rainy season. People are getting excited about that! Currently, we are seeing power rationing at a rate of up to 18 hours each day (we are on a higher level power grid than most – some are seeing less than 3 hours of power per day). We have a 20 kva generator that can handle our whole house. It was bought in 2015 – during the last El Niño event. It is costing around $2000+ each month for the generator – even with the assistance of solar. The costs are killing us!
We are also managing a new Solar Panel system that is in its infancy – not yet big enough to provide significant help.
To Recap: Most of our rains come between October and April…with ZERO drops of rain in-between. So, when there is an interruption in the rains in those precious weeks, the effects can be devastating. That was the case between 2023 and 2024. Just as the crops were ripening in the fields, the rains just STOPPED…in mid-November of 2023. This was primarily due to El Niño – a weather effect that changes the temperatures of the oceans – leading to dramatic climate change in Zambia and sub-Sahara Africa for many months. It is not the first time and it will not be the last…but this year it was rather dramatic. The net effect is a reduction in ground water in the lakes and reservoirs – impacting hydro-electric production…and the nearly complete destruction of the January 2023 harvest – leading food shortages and higher prices. Then, the crippling blow – power rationing (due to low water table levels) loosing power “load shedding” for as much as 21 hours per day. That is about where we stand today.
Our supporters helped us purchase this 20 kva diesel generator in 2015 – during the last drought. It is large enough to power the whole house – and more. It is quiet and a real “God-Send”. It has served us well during irregular power outages during storms and when ZESCO power lines have been damaged – which happens often. However, we have used it (sometimes heavily) for the past 9 years. While it is a fine asset, it comes with considerable cost – especially when using it for long term events (such as the case now). We maintain it well (at a cost…) and do not abuse it, but the cost is high and so is the usage. It should remain as a back-up…it is not designed to be a permanent replacement for grid power.
This is our first Solar System. It is a 3kva system that can only support some lights for about 3 hours. With the power being off for more than 12-15 hours per day, it is very little help – especially as we move forward to continued outages for months.
It is NOT a long-term solution!
We need a long-term solution!
This problem does not end when the rains come back this coming year (if that actually happens??). The levels in the big lakes are at historical lows. In the history of Kariba Dam, the water levels (that are at zero for hydroelectric production as of this writing) have never been as low as they are now. It is estimated to take 3-5 months of normal rains just to start making electricity again. That calculates to rationing and precarious reliance on high cost of generator power for the next 6 months (at a minimum). It is already been 6 months since the rationing began. That also means prolonged generator usage at high fuel costs (that are rising) and repairs and maintenance. So far, we have not sustained any major repairs – only minor glitches. What we seen is a sustainable whole house solar power generating system that can render us independent of local shore power.
What is needed? Robust Solar power generating system.
Specifictions: 2 – 6kva inverters, 4 Lithion Ion batteries and 24 solar panels.
Cost: $12,000+/-
This is bare minimum – but will put us in a very good position where we would rely on local power generation at a minimum. The local power grid is an old system that was broken before it was compromised due to poor water levels. This drought will have negative long-range effects on this same grid and continued problems after the rains come back and beyond.
A Solar Energy response that leads to TOTAL ENERGY INDEPENDENCE is the best stewardship we can put forward.
Left is a representative picture of an inverter and a battery. We need (2) 6kva inverters and 4 5000-watt-hour lithium ion batteries and 24 solar panels – all of which are available here in Zambia.
