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THE Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has shortlisted six international transaction advisors for the construction of a 1,600 megawatt hydropower plant to the tune of $6 billion at the Batoka Gorge along the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls. ZRA public relations and communications manager, Elizabeth Karonga said her organisation was in the process of holding a consultative meeting in Livingstone, Zambia to select transaction advisors on the implementation of the Batoka hydroelectric project.
She said the winner would be announced soon.
“Six consulting consortia have been shortlisted and responded to the invitation to advice on the $6 billion Batoka hydroelectric project from which one will be selected to become the transaction advisor for the two governments through ZRA.
“As part of the selection process the consultants are being given an opportunity to appreciate the project area and site through briefing and site visits,” said Karonga in a statement yesterday.
“The transaction advisors are expected to advise the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe to make informed decisions on how to implement the Batoka project. The advisory process will be facilitated through ZRA as the organisation mandated by the two governments to oversee the project implementation process.”
She said ZRA was also expected to work in consultation with Zesca in Zambia and Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) in Zimbabwe on the project implementation.
The proposed hydroelectric scheme is located on the Zambezi River, about 54km downstream of the Victoria Falls, across the boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It involves the construction of a dam and a hydropower plant on the Zambezi River.
If completed, the project would increase generation capacity and reduce reliance on electricity imports.
Initial studies have shown that the Batoka hydro scheme would turn Zimbabwe into a regional net exporter of power.
The project would also improve the generation mix which is currently skewed in favour of coal-fired plants. The Batoka hydro concept was conceived in 1972 out of a study instituted by the predecessor of Zambezi River Authority, the Central African Power Corporation.
The study’s aim was to identify possible power sources which the inter-governmental institution could develop to meet Zimbabwe’s and Zambia’s power demands.
The Batoka hydro scheme is among Zimbabwe’s long-term plans to deal with the prevailing power deficit in the region.
Online Reporter