Zimbabwe, Zambia choose Chinese, western firms for 2,400 MW hydro power plant

The South African countries, Zambia and Zimbabwe have shortlisted Chinese, American and European companies to build the Batoka Gorge hydropower plant, the ministry of finance said in a statement on February 20.

Preparatory studies, including engineering feasibility, for the 2,400-megawatt power station, will be completed by end of the first quarter, it said. A request for the proposals will be launched by April this year and the final developer will be appointed by September, the statement said.

A meeting in Zambia’s Livingstone has approved the shortlisting of a consortium of General Electric of USA, China Gezhouba Group Company Limited, Salini Impregilo of Italy, and a joint venture of Chinese firms Three Gorges Corporation, China International and Water Electric Corporation and China Gezhouba Group Company Limited, Reuters reported.

“The project will be schemed on a Build-Operate-Transfer financing model and will not put any fiscal strain on the government of Zambia and Zimbabwe as no sovereign guarantees will be required,” the statement said.

It also stated that three preparatory studies that include, engineering feasibility study, environmental and social impact assessment, and legal and financial transaction advisory services, will be accomplished by the completion of first quarter of 2019.

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