By Correspondent
Harare( News of The South ) – Zambia and Zimbabwe are set to start building the 2,400MW Batoka Hydro Electric Scheme (BHES) in 2020, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has said.
ZRA, a bilateral organization equally owned by the Governments of the Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is undertaking the development of the $4bn BHES, located within the Batoka Gorge, 47km downstream of the Victoria Falls.
ZRA Chief Executive, Munyaradzi Munodawafa said feasibility studies for the project are almost complete.
“At the same time, procurement of the developer for the Project is underway and is expected to be engaged by the end of 2019. Once engaged, the developer is expected to commence works in the last quarter of 2020,” he said.
The Batoka Project involves construction of the dam, powerhouses, roads, transmission infrastructure and townships in both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It is anticipated that various opportunities and benefits will accrue from the development of the project including improved access to electricity, job creation, improved social facilities such as schools, hospitals and shopping centres.
Zimbabwe and Zambia are currently grappling with power shortages and the BHES is expected to be one of the permanent solutions to the two southern African countries’ power woes.
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