What Happens When World's Largest Dam Runs Out of Water? - Shocking

Kariba World's Largest Dam Failure Sparks China's Floating Solar Revolution

After more than 60 years of service, the Kariba Dam is failing. This huge monster built on the Zambezi River cost an astonishing $480 million. The dam is located between the South African nations of Zambia and Zimbabwe and generates power for both. The Zambezi is Africa's 4th largest river; its drainage basin covers an area slightly less than half of the Nile's. To the natives, it made sense to harvest the potential of the Zambezi River and generate hydroelectricity.

The region where the dam is located was a 'federal colony' within the British Empire. Orders for its construction were given in 1955 and subsequently completed in 1958. The late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother officially opened the dam in 1960. The success of the Kariba Dam was the shining beacon of hope for South Africa.

Utilizing the generated energy, South Africa was able to industrialize and provide a better lifestyle to its citizens. The dam has a generation capacity of 1,050MW for Zimbabwe while it generates an estimated 1,080MW for Zambia. But in recent years it has been falling short of its commitment. Because of droughts and the low inflows from tributaries feeding the Zambezi River, Kariba’s water levels have decreased, causing the dam to reduce its power production.

Both Zambia and Zimbabwe heavily rely on this dam for the majority of its energy needs. So when power production declined, both countries had to introduce power cuts. 6-hour long power cuts started in Zambia in December last year while Zimbabwe was already facing 19 hours of load shedding daily with devastating effects on all aspects of life in the country. Electricity is turned back on between approximately midnight and 5 AM. Kariba Dam generates half of the energy needed for Zimbabwe. Its lowered output has sent shockwaves throughout the economy, causing the closure of small businesses, and affecting hospitals, industries, and everyday life.

The dam’s failure combined with the low performance of its aging coal-fired plants means that Zimbabwe is producing less than half of its 1,700MW power demand. More than 8 million Zimbabweans do not have access to power. Electricity demand has surged in recent years driven by higher agricultural and mining activity. To bridge the gap between demand and supply, the country has to import power from its regional neighbors Zambia and Mozambique.

This power is costly and adds financial strain to an already struggling nation. To resolve the energy crisis, China has partnered with the Zimbabwean government to install solar power panels. But these aren’t some ordinary panels spread over a wide expanse of land. Instead, these will be floating on Lake Kariba!

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[VisionaryBuilds]

Will the floating solar panel project make the difference expected? Will the cost of it be worth it in the long run?

[Hannah-hvpc]

Please use correct place names. It's Southern Africa and not South Africa

[matyolasidneymainza]

Which South Africa you talking about mambala?

[MwewaK]

This is in Zambia/Zimbabwe, Southen Africa. Formally, Northern and Southern Rhodesia

[takudzwamafandizvo]

My guy, This is between Zimbabwe and Zambia. There's a difference between Southern Africa and South Africa. One is a region and one is a sovereign state.

[mjmulenga]

Here's a crazy idea: can't Zimbabwe use that coal to generate cheap reliable power? 🧐🤔

[banxmunzabwa]

Iwe chikala how does south Africa come in the picture

[Oeufsmacd]

Good to see quite a bit of progress in Zimbabwe! 🎉

[Brommear]

Kariba at 13%! How amazing. I visited the dam in1960 as a young boy, At that point it had never been full This is so sad!

[takudzwamafandizvo]

I appreciate this though. Thank you very much western media usually speaks of hunger, wars etc.. you know negative stuff about Africa all the time

[kingKamaki-ongg]

Uyu mambala. Do we look like South Africa?

[josephdzingo]

BEST VIDEO I HAVE HEARD OF MY COUNTRY SO FAR

[robertjones]

insist a Chinese company can come in and mine for themselves and only news Chinese workers

[TonyTromp-bc]

Mark my words! Those solar panels WILL all get stolen!

[penjeezyify]

Shining beacon for South Africa or southern Africa?

[pommie]

Prophecy of this speaker....??? South Africa extended Africa and Rhodesia become no longer in memory????

[AbelNcube-dfug]

Maybe South Africa should be renamed to avoid the confusion. There is North Africa and South Africa, regions in Africa, right?

[simznatashenterprise]

Great Documentary but you fell short in your research Southern Africa is not South Africa. There are many nations in Southern Africa and are not collectively called South Africa, the later is a Nation which is part of the region.

[princethawani]

South Africa?? You never did a research? If you haven't done a lot of research please sit and eat 😢

[GivimoNdolbu]

Asi kumusha kwenyu yakanaya last season?