AfDB to coordinate Batoka power project

Fri, 14 Apr 2017 09:54:40 +0000

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

THE African Development Bank (AfDB) has reaffirmed support to the 2,400 megawatts Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme (BGHES) as it is in line with the objectives of the group’s New Deal on Energy for Africa.

The BGHES is being implemented by the Zambezi River Authority, an organisation equitably owned by the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, to develop, operate, monitor and maintain hydropower projects along the Zambezi River.

The governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe have appointed the bank as lead coordinator for the project, to be implemented in partnership with other development partners.

AfDB’S vice president for power, energy, climate and green growth sector, Amadou Hott who attended the BGHES investor conference in Livingstone last week, said the Batoka scheme was in line with the objectives of AfDB’s New Deal on Energy for Africa.

This is according to a press statement from the AfDB.

“The bank has been working together with Zambia and Zimbabwe on major energy projects such as the transformative Itezhi Power Generation and Transmission Project, and rehabilitation of power infrastructure in Zimbabwe, among others.

“The Batoka scheme is in line with the objectives of AfDB’s New Deal on Energy for Africa,” he said.

Mr Hott explained that the target for the New Deal for universal access to energy by 2025 required the implementation of transformative regional projects such as Batoka.

The AfDB is implementing the New Deal on Energy for Africa to light up and power Africa, with the aspirational objective of achieving universal access to energy by 2025.

The bank will invest US$12 billion in the power sector over the next five years and aims to leverage US$45-50 billion from the private sector.