Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
THE (AU) Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Her Excellency Lerato Mataboge has met with the Zambezi River Authority to explore ways of accelerating implementation of Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme (BGHES).
The high-level strategic meeting sought to advance discussion on the critical regional power augmentation project.
Ms Mataboge expressed the AU’s desire for widespread energy integration across Africa while advancing a healthy energy mix that balances high-yielding fossil energy with renewable systems.
In a statement after the meeting, ZRA said the AU had expressed interest in helping to accelerate implementation of the project.
“The African union expressed strong interest in supporting the project’s bankability, financial structuring, and accelerated implementation,” said ZRA in a statement.
The flagship cross-border initiative aligns with AU Agenda 2063 and has also been profiled among 70 PIDA-PAP priority projects.
BGHES is expected to significantly enhance regional energy security, expand renewable energy supply, and drive industrial growth across Southern Africa.
To date, the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe have committed US$440 million in equity.
Project optimisation is ongoing while a phased market-engagement strategy aimed at moving the project toward procurement and financial close is being pursued.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is being updated. The project is expected to provide clean energy generation, regional power trade, and approximately 26 000 jobs among other socio-economic benefits.
“The engagement marks an important step in strengthening continental partnerships and reinforcing confidence in BGHES as a transformative regional infrastructure project,”” said ZRA.
The Zambezi River Authority has also commenced preparatory works for the Lake Kariba Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FPV) Project Feasibility Study as it explores ways of optimising power generation along the Zambezi River Basin.
ZRA recently convened a meeting of stakeholders, including Government ministries from Zimbabwe and Zambia, respective power utilities, development finance institutions and technical partners in Siavonga, Zambia.
The meeting laid the ground for the commencement of feasibility studies for the Lake Kariba Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FPV) Project.
It marked the formal launch of preparatory works for the proposed project, which will bolster efforts to diversify the Lake Kariba and regional power mix.
The feasibility study will evaluate viability, and its technical, environmental, social, and financial impact.
This will include project modelling, stakeholder consultations and detailed assessment of the viability of installing floating solar infrastructure on the Lake.
Participants at the two-day meeting included representatives from the Ministries of Energy of Zambia and Zimbabwe, the African Development Bank (AfDB), Swedfund, Norconsult, national power utilities, District Administration officials, and ZRA.
