The Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Project, meant to solve perennial electricity shortages in Zimbabwe and Zambia, may not proceed due to significant hurdles, an official has revealed.
The multi-billion-dollar power plant, planned since 1972, is expected to generate 2,400 MW to alleviate power shortages.
Despite renewed efforts in the past decade, ZESA Holdings executive chairperson Sydney Gata said that the project is fraught with risks.
Gata, who was speaking during the ongoing Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit in Victoria Falls, said (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200035198/no-end-in-sight-to-zims-power-woesas-mega-project-may-never-take-off">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
The other thing that I would like to mention, especially in respect of Batoka, is that we always need to do more exhaustive feasibility studies.
The project has not seen the light of day since 42 years ago. One of the reasons is that there has not been an exhaustive review of markets and also hydrology.
The project that we have today, in our experience, will not work. There is also a question of enforcement risk.
Enforcement risk is my translation of the experience we had in the reconstitution of CAPCO (Central African Power Corporation) and the formation of ZRA (Zambezi River Authority). That process was not clean.
</blockquote>
Due to low water levels at Kariba Dam, power generation at both Kariba North and Kariba South Power Stations has been severely impacted, resulting in up to 20 hours of load shedding per day in both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Kariba South Power Station, operated by ZESA, has a generation capacity of 1,050 MW but is currently producing only 124 MW. Said Gata:
<blockquote>
… decisions were being made at a political level without regard to the position of technocrats”.
I said that not all the political leadership is aware of this. We tried very hard to advocate for further extensive studies.
Certain hydrological models and models of investment can overcome this ugly picture. Batoka, as it stands now, is a victim of load factor risk.
It is also a victim of load profile risk, but you can mitigate both. If you do further feasibility studies, there are other options. In fact, some of them we knew about in 1984.
I am surprised that they have not been taken into account. Batoka also needs a market study that is honest and relevant.
</blockquote>
In 2021, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) announced that the consortium chosen to build the project was having difficulty securing funding.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Project is a big power plant that is supposed to give electricity to Zimbabwe and Zambia. But, it might not happen because of many problems. The project has been planned since 1972 but hasn't started yet. The water levels at Kariba Dam are low, causing electricity shortages in both countries. The people in charge say that more studies are needed to make sure the project will work. The project needs money to start, but it is hard to find. This means that the project may never happen, and people will continue to have electricity problems.

2,400 MW Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Project May Never Take Off

The Batoka Hospitality Group will in March 2022 unveil the refurbished Batoka Zambezi Sands River Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River.
The ecotourism facility is located in the western part of the Zambezi National Park and is only an hour’s drive from Victoria Falls.
The Batoka Zambezi Sands River Lodge offers guests the chance to enjoy the African bush where they can view the waters of the Zambezi River or the abundant elephant, buffalo, lion, hippo and birdlife.
Batoka Hospitality acquired 100 per cent ownership of the former Zambezi Sands River Camp and its sister attraction, the Gorges Lodge. The Group had previously partnered with Imvelo Safari Lodges.
The company’s executive director, Vimbai Masiyiwa, a daughter of Strive Masiyiwa, the Zimbabwean philanthropist and founder of Econet Global, said she was determined to empower Africans through sustainable projects. Said Masiyiwa:
<blockquote>
We put people first – the people in our communities, the people in our teams, and our guests.
We choose to learn from each other and consistently look for a better way to do what we do.
We create opportunities for our societies to thrive.
… Our vision is to become a leading luxury safari company on the African continent, but we also want to create opportunities for economic growth in the communities we build in.
We are empowering the African dream of success through ecotourism and hospitality.
As much as we enrich the lives of our guests through a truly authentic African experience, we are building self-sustaining communities across Africa through our brand.
</blockquote>
The 24-bed lodge comprises 10 standard suites, each with a private plunge pool and spectacular views of the Zambezi River.
Later in 2022, Batoka will unveil its second major project of the year, the four-star Batoka Gorges and Little Lodge.
The 30-bed lodge comprises 10 tented suites and five stone chalets overlooking the Batoka Gorge.
<h4>More: <a href="https://vicfallslive.co.zw/index.php/2021/12/09/strive-masiyiwas-daughter-opens-luxury-victoria-falls-lodge/">VicFallsLive</a></h4>

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