Published: 30 September 2013

THE construction of the $3 billion Batoka Gorge Hydro Electricity Scheme is set to start by the end of next year after the completion of the $2.5 million access road linking Victoria Falls through Chisuma area and the Batoka Gorge.

However, construction of the same access road on the Zambian side is still to be competed with only less than 2km left.

The recent completion of the access road to the gorges on the Zimbabwean side would facilitate feasibility studies and designs for the station.

Zimbabwe and Zambia are expected to get 1 600MW from the envisaged project.

The scheme would see the construction of a 54 kilometre Batoka Dam upstream of Lake Kariba.

Addressing journalists during a media tour of the Batoka Gorges in Zimbabwe and Zambia, Zambezi River Authority spokesperson Ms Elizabeth Karonga said the authority had launched the tendering process for an environmental impact assessment of the project.

"The Zimbabwean and Zambian government have agreed on the need to set aside their difference emanating from the dispute over payments on the Kariba Dam and we have had a commitment from both President Mugabe and President Sata on the need to expedite the project."

She said the authority was not expecting challenges from environment and social impediments since the area earmarked for the project was not populated with minimal animal movement from the site.
- herald

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