Project title
Batoka Hydro‐electric Scheme (Project RG‐3)
Project sponsors
The project proponents are the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, with lead
agents being the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) for the dam development and
Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) and Zambia Electricity Supply
Corporation (ZESCO) for the south and north bank power station developments
respectively.
Participating countries
Zambia and Zimbabwe
Objectives
The objective of the Batoka Hydro‐electric Scheme is to increase the power
generation capacity of Zambia and Zimbabwe and reduce reliance on coal‐fired power
stations, which are expensive to operate and maintain and are associated with
greenhouse gas emissions.
Project description
The project has the potential to make both Zambia and Zimbabwe power exporters
after meeting local needs. The Batoka Hydro‐electric Scheme involves construction of
a 1 680 x 106 m3 capacity dam, with two underground power stations producing a
total of 1 600 MW. Two townships at Batoka, one in Zambia and the other in
Zimbabwe, will be established with a combined total population of about 200 000
people who will have adequate water supply and sanitation services.
Expected results
Construction of the Batoka Hydro‐electric Scheme to generate 1 600 MW of power.
Ongoing related activities in the The AfDB provided grant funds to carry out the feasibility studies, which were
region
concluded in 1993. Further EIA studies were carried out and were completed in 1998.
Description of national plan to the Zimbabwe provided US$2 million for site investigation works concluded in 1994.
project
Status
The project can be considered to be in Phase 4 of the ICA Project Development
Phases.
Next steps
The next project development stage is final designs to be conducted in 2013 and
tendering for construction in 2014. Construction of the dam and power stations is
expected to start in 2015 and will be completed by 2021.
Business model
Investment project financed as a BOT or from loans.
Main parties in place
ZRA, ZESA, ZESCO
Main parties to be procured
Possible project financiers are the AfDB, DBSA and the WB.
Project challenges
The major project challenges include:
Obtaining final approval to proceed with the project from both governments; and
Timely sourcing of project finances.
Project documentation available
1. Batoka Joint Venture Consultants (BJVC), 1993. Batoka Gorge Hydro‐electric
Scheme Feasibility Study Final Report. Zambezi River Authority. Lusaka, Zambia.
2. Tumbare MJ. 2010. The Management of the Zambezi River Basin and the Kariba
Dam. Bookworld Publishers. Lusaka, Zambia.
3. Tumbare M J. 2005. Batoka Gorge Hydro‐electric Scheme Project. SAPP
Investment
Conference.
www.sapp.co.zw/documents/Batoka%20Hydro%20project.pdf. Last accessed
August 2011
4. Sikuka K. 2009. Batoka hydro power station to light up Southern Africa. South
African News Features. www.sardc.net/editorial/newsfeature/o9250909.htm .
Last accessed August 2011.
5. World Bank. 2011. The Zambezi River Basin – A Multi‐sector Investment
Opportunities
Analysis.
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTAFRICA/Resources/Zambezi_MSIOA_‐
Vol_1_‐Summary_Report.pdf. Last accessed August 2011.
Intervention requiring financing
Project to be presented for financing during the planned 1st SADC Infrastructure
Investment Summit and Conference to be held in the last quarter of 2012.
Revenues for financing repayment This is an infrastructure investment project, which will raise sufficient revenue to
repay any loans procured for implementing the project
Estimated total cost
The estimated total project costs are US$4 billion.
Execution period
After project funding is secured in 2012 and the final designs and tendering process is
completed in 2014, construction will commence in 2015 and be completed by 2021.
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