Zambia: Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Power project to begin by 2019, Contractor-selection left

Construction of Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station is likely to commence in Zambia by the completion of 2019 after the selection of the winning contractor in six months' time.

The report has been declared by Gloria Magombo, Permanent Secretary Engineer, Energy and Power in which it is mentioned that construction will commence soon once negotiations with the contractor are accomplished. "We have been meeting as the Zambezi River Authority, looking at the progress on the implementation of the project and as we all know, any project has developmental stages. Construction will only begin after the selection of the project developer by September this year," Gloria Magombo opined, as reported by Construction Review Online.

The shortlisted contractors will be given the responsibility for the relevant preparatory studies that include the Engineering Feasibility Study, the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, and Legal and Financial Transaction Advisory Services. "The first stage is project preparation, where you do the feasibility studies, engineering studies and the environmental impact assessments, and that is the stage that we have been working on," Magombo added.

The above-mentioned source further cited that Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station is likely to produce 2,400 megawatts of electricity, which will be shared equally between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Zambezi River Authority is said to deeply look into the project and look after the Karika Dam Complex including utilizing the full potential of Zambezi River. The project is likely to create around 6,000 jobs.

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