Zambia and Zimbabwe are exploring prospects of establishing a joint hydropower project at a cost of USD 2.5 million to increase generation.

Mr Teddy Kasonso energy permanent secretary of Zambia said that Energy officials from Zimbabwe were in the country for a meeting with their Zambian counterparts to find a way forward on the matter.

He said that Technocrats from the 2 countries had referred the matter to their respective government for further guidance to resolve some contentious issues. He could however not disclose the nature of the issues that need to be resolved but indicated that the officials from the two countries could not reach an agreement, resulting in the deferring of the matter to their two governments.

Mr Kenneth Konga energy minister of Zambia said a decision was yet to be made because the two countries need to first resolve issues surrounding the ownership of the assets of the Zambia Zimbabwe Central Africa Power Corporation. He said that “We first have to resolve some issues surrounding the ownership of CAPCO assets.”

Reports from Zimbabwe said that the government in that country was upbeat about the project and was viewed as the solution to the current deteriorating power situation that the country was facing.

Justin Muphamhanga energy permanent secretary of Zimbabwe confirmed that the 2 countries had agreed to jointly pursue the project. Reports indicated that the 2 countries needed to seek investors to undertake the venture which may take 4 to 5 years to complete.

The Batoka Gorge Power plant establishment will add a generation capacity of 800 MW to Zambia and Zimbabwe, which both currently face power deficits. Zimbabwe currently faces 900 MW power deficit and has not been able to fund its own internal hydro power generation ventures. This prompted the Zimbabwean government to consider drafting a new energy bill to provide tax rebates to big investors in the energy sector as a way of attracting more investment and offset the current deficit.