He said in an interview in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital that the two southern African nations will complete a feasibility study into the project by July, with construction due to start next year.
Mr Undenge said financing has yet to be finalized and will form part of the tender process expected to start in the second half of 2016.
“We hope that there will be financiers that will come through because it’s a very viable project,” he said.
“Hydropower is the cheapest form of power and we estimate that it will come out at about 5 cents per kilowatt hour when completed, which is far below solar energy and thermal power.”
Zambia and Zimbabwe both face severe power shortages as years of under-investment are amplified by low water levels at the Kariba dam hydropower station that they each rely on for about half of total supplies.
Batoka Gorge will produce 2,400 megawatts, about 30 percent more than Kariba, which is the world’s largest man-made reservoir by capacity
What is the cost of solar energy?
As per Mwalimu’s estimates below – this Zimbo minister thinks he is on the money, BUT AS WITH ALL NON-TECHNOCRATS, who don’t take REALITY INTO ACCOUNT, This part of Africa has LONG BEEN IN A DROUGHT, if not the longest – Water capacity in Kariba is maybe about 30%, so BATOKA will NOT SUDDENLY RECEIVE WATER like MANNA FROM HEAVEN – WE HAVE MORE SUN HOURS of GENERATION POTENTIAL – & will most likely be for the long term, SO SOLAR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PAY IT SELF OFF, WHILST BATOKA WILL LOOK MORE LIKE A WHITE ELEPHANT, & destroy the local Environment with NO ULTIMATE GAIN!!
Vote Wisely 11/8/2016!! Vote Zambia FORWARD!!
I thank you!!
Wind Power generated .39 cents
Solar generated .51 Cents
Hydro Power .46 Cents
He is correct Only a marginal difference Wit wind Cheaper but storage a disadvantage But I advise him to do a marginal analysis and see his breakeven point Its still costly comparable
Didn’t the minister say that feasibility studies are in progress, to be completed July 2016? I expect that final decisions can be made then, including the water situation vis a vis climate change.