After decades of discussion, the continuous power woes plaguing Zambia and Zimbabwe could soon receive some relief once the construction of a huge 2 400 MW hydroelectric power station gets under way.
The Batoka Gorge power station, set on the Zambezi river (approximately 54 km downstream from the Victoria Falls) is expected to begin in early 2017. Power produced by the dam will be shared equally between the two Southern African neighbours.
According to an ESI-Africa report, feasibility studies are still being conducted on the location. These are expected to be completed by mid-year, to enable drafting of the tender before year-end.
Samuel Undenge, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Power Development, says the Batoka dam project will produce relatively cheap power. Construction will take five years to complete, with the power station expected to be up and running by 2023.
