Government says there is no substitute for hydro power to end Zambia’s current power deficit.
 ZANIS reports that Minister of Finance Felix Mutati said in Livingstone today that the development of the Batoka Gorge Hydro Power project remains Zambia’s most feasible long term solution to addressing the country’s power deficit.
 Mr Mutati said the Batoka power project will be the most significant infrastructure project government will undertake in a long time to come.
 The Finance Minister explained that while hydro power gives the best power option to drive operations of mines and other industries, government will continue to diversify into other reliable energy sources.
 He stressed that the Batoka gorge power project will not only meet the electricity requirements of the two countries but will make Zambia the hub of electricity in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
 He said the project which will continue to link and bond Zambia and Zimbabwe has attracted leading investors due to its lowest production costs across the Africa continent.
 Mr Mutati is confident that at the end of the conference, investment pledges will be made to facilitate the development of the hydro power scheme.
 He assured that government will work closely with the local traditional leadership and people to ensure that the project takes off.
He said the success of the project will improve the welfare of the local people through improved access to electricity.
Mr Mutati further said that the Batoka gorge power project will stir Livingstone back to life and boost the economy of southern province.
 The Finance Minister further disclosed that government will in a month’s time hold a local symposium in Livingstone to galvanize the local people to participate and support the Batoka power project.
 The Batoka Gorge power project is a joint venture between the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe to develop a power station on the Zambezi River at a cost of USD 4 billion.
 The hydro power station is expected to generate 2,400 megawatts which will be shared equally between the two countries.
Vice President Inonge Wina is expected in Livingstone to open the Batoka Gorge Hydro Power projecttomorrow.
 The conference which has attracted cooperating partners and local and foreign multilateral financial institutions is being held under the theme ‘harnessing sustainable power generation of the mighty Zambezi River’.
That’s sounds good but what about Nuclear power..which I think is the best source of pOwer. Hydro power has already shown us how inifecient it can be when hit by drought or low rain fall.
This guy dull.Is he from Mars?We need a new generation of Politicians not these fossils who cant understand new ways of doing things.
Lazy thinking! Which country in Africa has nuclear energy? Costs and dangers of nuclear disposal will bankrupt your small country. One nuclear plant being constructed in U.K. will cost £7 billion, how much is your national debt?
@Herbert ‘
Yes nuclear can work, but as Zambia we are land locked country making it difficult to dispose the waste water. Our rivers, thankfully God has blessed our land with fresh water which not even UK can be compared to. It will mean that we dispose this waste water in the fresh water causing danger to lives of animals and humans.
That nuclear thought can work well if Zambia and say Mozambique enter a memorandum of understanding and build up a nuclear plant in Indian ocean to generate power not only for the 2 countries but the region.
Nice thought though.
Is that an MMD or PF policy???
No substitute for hydro power is retrogressive and especially stunted thinking. It’s sad he is a minister of finance. However, it’s not a surprise under pf bcoz they move to and from. The boat has no captain and direction. When we had alot of loadshedding they preached diversification in the energy sector but since water levels are above normal they dununa reverse. I forsee a 5 yr term of to and fro. Bwafya maningi
@ Little Amish Boy . South Africa has nuclear power…
In PF everyone is a specalist expert on any topic …just last year the whole national came to a standstill because of poor rainfall…now we have this Accountant in Finance Ministry telling us claptrap does he know how hydroelectricity works. Even when Dora spent millions of dollars importing electricity last year which we will be punished for.
Mutati is just an IMF bootleaker.
When I was being taught Integrated Energy Strategies and Composition I was advised that all form of energy is used either for heating or cooling is measured in BTUs or British Thermal Units of head
The Integrated Energy security for the country must relate and support the Integrated Energy strategies
From the Global energy outlook for 2017 to 2050 both from IEA and other firms including other DOE, Gas in its various forms gives a better option as an energy source than hydro that is foreseen to be affected by effects of climate Change
Again from my simple economic analysis I have learnt that capital Investments alone cannot resolve the…
structural challenges of Zambian economy
Combination of Growth in productivity and labour force determines GDP growth These two have remained below par for the Zambian economy and any investments in power must be complemented by the two because the positive effects of investments driven model if unchecked could create a debt overhang for the country to affect the future growth prospects
Look for the better side and maximise the potential and reduce the costs where you can
Look to General Motors and Do some Gas Power Plants especially with Mozambique here
Learn also from the good lessons in UGANDA currently including Ethiopia Hydro Developments
I was analysing…
climate change reports. Checked on the recent launched from Bowina and looked at the limits set by UN at 2 degrees cent and looked at the case for Zambia to 2050 and compared to other similar countries like Zimbabwe or Namibia on the Zambezi It does not support the case for hydro alone in the energy security strategy for Zambia The reports for Bowina is good though the forecasts not exhaustive
I said it was my last but I think will resist and stop////
Give it a thought Hon Mutati
So far I like your drive and energy Watching the Governor was also good but overly optimistic on growth prospects I liked his inflation and interest rates graphs but also there is too much idolatry of the same sometimes loosing the focus
and i quote LT
“Vice President Inonge Wina is expected in Livingstone to open the Batoka Gorge Hydro Power projecttomorrow.
The conference which has attracted cooperating partners and local and foreign multilateral financial institutions is being held under the theme ‘harnessing sustainable power generation of the mighty Zambezi River’.”
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF POOR REPORTING, THE VEEP IS NOT OPENING THE PROJECT SHE OPENING THE INVESTORS CONFERENCE FOR THE PROJECT AND IT INCLUDES POTENTIAL FINANCIERS, DEVELOPERS, OFF TAKERS, POWER COMPANIES ETC.
SECONDLY ITS NOT JUST A CONFERENCE, ITS AN INVESTOR CONFERENCE.
THIS IS POOR REPORTING LT NEEDS AN OVERHAUL
@5 Jay Jay, since when did you learn anything about hydro electricity? Just last year you and fellow UPNDonkeys including HH could understand the link between good rainfall and high dam.levels? Barely 6 months later after the electoral loss where would you have found the time to learn something new since you have spent all that precious time on a futile petition in a fantasy world of HH being president?