ZRA Council of Ministers Allocates More for Power Generation, Approves Acceleration of $4.2bn Batoka Gorge Project

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) Council of Ministers (COM) has approved a 2-billion cubic meter increase in water allocation for power generation in 2026 and directed the acceleration of the $4.2 billion Batoka Gorge Hydro-electric Scheme. Energy ministers from Zimbabwe and Zambia and a technical expert from ZRA met at the 43rd Council of Ministers meeting in Victoria Falls on Monday.

The council approved the allocation of 30 billion cubic meters (BCM) of water for power generation to be shared equally by the Zimbabwean and Zambian power utilities. This is an increase of 2 BCM from the 28 BCM approved in the fourth quarter of last year. The council also directed a review of the timelines to accelerate the implementation of the Batoka Gorge Hydro-electric Scheme.  Follow & Share Our WhatsApp Channel

The Zimbabwean and Zambian governments will make a $220 million equity contribution towards the project and explore equity partnerships to improve its bankability. The council reaffirmed the adoption of the Public-Private Partnership model for its implementation.

The authority is exploring the possibility of water abstraction from the Congo Basin through the construction of a canal and considering the feasibility of importing power from Tanzania and Angola. The council encouraged expedited implementation of the Zambia interconnection project, which includes 912 km of 330kV transmission lines and associated substations.

The ZRA Council of Ministers' decisions demonstrate a commitment to increasing power generation and improving the energy landscape in the region. The acceleration of the Batoka Gorge Hydro-electric Scheme and the increased water allocation for power generation are expected to have a positive impact on the region's energy security.