Zimbabwe prepares for El Niño drought and energy shortages

Zimbabwe is implementing mitigation strategies to protect approximately 2.2 million cattle from a predicted El Niño-induced drought expected to impact the 2026/27 agricultural season. Minister of Information Zhemu Soda announced the establishment of Ward Drought Mitigation Centres across 1,527 rural wards to provide essential services such as cattle dipping, feeding, and marketing. The government is also focusing on small stock, including poultry and fisheries, to enhance community resilience.

Simultaneously, the country is addressing energy security as the Zambezi River Authority forecasts a 36% reduction in water allocations for hydropower generation in 2027. The shared water allocation for Zimbabwe and Zambia is expected to drop from 36 billion to 23 billion cubic metres due to unfavorable rainfall forecasts.

To offset potential hydropower deficits, a $650 million, 600 MW solar project near Lake Kariba is progressing. Developed by GreenGrid Energy, the project has secured a power purchase agreement with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) and completed technical and regulatory preparations. While the project aims to complement the Kariba South hydropower plant by reducing water consumption during daylight hours, it still awaits final financing and a confirmed construction schedule.