Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
The Zambezi River Authority has called on the public and other interested stakeholders to a consultative meeting next Tuesday in Victoria Falls on the proposed Batoka Gorge Hydro-electric Power Station to be jointly developed by Zimbabwe and Zambia on the Zambezi River.
The US$5 billion project is expected to generate 2 400 MW for the two countries that have endured power shortages, negatively affecting their respective economies.
“The ZRA proposes to develop the Batoka Gorge Hydro-electric Scheme, a major power generation project with an installed capacity of up to 2,400 MW, along the Zambezi River, which forms the common boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe,” read part of a statement from ZRA.
“The project involves the construction of a dam wall across the Zambezi River, approximately 47 km downstream of Victoria Falls, and the development of two power stations, one on the Zambian side and the other on the Zimbabwean side of the River. The project will also include the development of townships on both sides of the River.
“The consultations are being done in accordance with the Environmental Management Act and the Environmental Management (Environmental impact Assessment and Ecosystems Protection) Regulations (S17 of 2007), which compels ZRA to conduct public consultation meetings for such projects
“As part of the Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process, these meetings aim to inform stakeholders about the proposed project and provide an opportunity to submit views, concerns, and recommendations.
“The ZRA, therefore, cordially invites members of the public, Traditional Leaders, Government Agencies, Local Authorities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), the business community, and all other interested and affected parties to attend the public meetings,” read part of the statement.
The two countries have already committed US$440 million as seed capital for the project.
Zimbabwe and Zambia also share the Kariba Dam Hydro-electric Power Station.
