COVID-19 Halts Batoka Hydropower Station Plans

Developers of the Batoka Hydropower Station, due to be built on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border, have delayed the project until next year due to issues faced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Pre-construction work started on the project however was suspended for several months because of COVID-19, with funding also still being secured.

The 2,400-megawatt facility, which is due to cost US$4 billion, was due to start work back in 2020.

Speaking on issues faced as a result of the pandemic, Zambezi River Authority spokesperson Fitzgerald Muchindu said “The authority and the developer are doing everything possible to expedite the outstanding pre-construction activities with a view to commence construction works at the earliest possible time,”.

The project will comprise a 175m-high dam wall, two 1,200 MW power plants on either side of the river, a substation, transmission as well as a new settlement and road infrastructure.

It is expected to take 6 years to complete.

The plant is due to be constructed by General Electric and Power Corporation of China, with other bidders for the job including Three Gorges Corporation, China International and Water Electric Corporation.

The construction of the station will be a welcome addition for both Zambia and Zimbabwe, who both struggle with electricity shortages as a result of ageing equipment and droughts. In February the two nations delayed planned upgrades to the Kariba Dam, their main source of electricity.

Photo: Lusaka Times