Zambia and Zimbabwe to construct a hydropower plant at US$2.5b
Channel: Construction Review
Date: 2015-03-30

The capacity of Batoka George hydro-electric power plant, which is set to serve both Zimbabwe and Zambia, has now been increased from 1600MW to 2400MW. This is according to Munyaradzi Munodawafa the CEO of Zambezi River Authority, the company in charge of the hydropower project.

Munodawafa also noted that a feasibility study on the same was currently underway and a report on the same would be ready by May. After this, there would be an environmental impact assessment study for the Batoka George hydropower plant project.

The initial cost for the power project was estimated to be US $2.5bn. However, the final cost will be known in May after the feasibility study for the project has been carried out.

The hydropower plant is expected to be constructed and operated by a private company that will also take its ownership for a couple of years before transferring the ownership to Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Construction of the Batoka George Hydro-electric power plant will see to it that a dam is constructed at the Zambezi River to ease electricity problems in the two countries and other countries in the Southern Africa region.

Zimbabwe is targeting to increase its power generation is 9000 GWthis year according to earlier announcement.