By Shongedzai Mugwaga
The long-awaited Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric power station project is set to kick off in April this year, the Harare Post can exclusively report.
Zambian and Zimbabwean authorities met this week and agreed to kick-start the project.
The revelations came after a meeting between Ministers of Energy and Finance, Attorney Generals of the two countries on Wednesday.
Zambezi River Authority Chief Executive Officer, Munyaradzi Munodawafa has announced that the meeting discussed on the engineering feasibility study, legal and financial transaction advisory services and the environmental social impact assessment of the much awaited multi-billion dollar project.
The council of ministers is expected to receive an update on the expressions of interest for the development of the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme as well as receive the road map to start construction works of the $5billion project
Minister of Energy and Power Development, Dr Joram Gumbo exclusively revealed that preparations have reached advanced stages with four companies already been shortlisted for the job on an on-going short listing process.
“I met with my Zambian counterpart on Wednesday and we agreed that by April this year, there should be signs of construction,” he said.
The massive plant which is estimated to cost US$5 billion will be expected to produce 2.400 megawatts at its peak.
Investigations carried out by this publication have shown that 6,000 jobs will be created once the construction commences.
Several challenges had stalled the construction of the massive power project. Besides scouting for financial partners, the project had faced resistance from local communities who felt that such a project has the potential of negatively impacting on the Victoria Falls, a world heritage site.
The 2,400-megawatt project would help ease the rising demand for electricity in Zambia and Zimbabwe. A project overview document prepared by the Zambezi River Authority states that plans for the development of a hydro-electric power scheme on the Zambezi River started way back in 1904.
More extensive work with regards to a potential hydro-electric power scheme on the Zambezi River downstream of Victoria Falls began in 1972. However, when suitable sites for the development of such a scheme were investigated, and where, as part of this study, the Batoka Gorge, Devil’s Gorge and Mupata Gorge sites were specifically identified for further study.
The 1972 study identified the Batoka Gorge as the most suitable site for a potential hydro-electric power scheme, although engineering and geological investigations were undertaken at a site some 12 kilometres downstream from the site now identified as the most suitable location for the proposed Batoka Gorge hydro-electric power development.
