PUBLIC NOTICE ON THE BATOKA GORGE 2400 MW HYDROPOWER PROJECT REVIEW

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) FOR BATOKA GORGE 2400 MW HYDROPOWER PROJECT.

The Environmental Management Agency received the Environmental and Social Impact

Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed Batoka 2400 MW Hydro Power Project in terms of

Section 100 of the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27). Hydro Power Schemes

are prescribed projects in terms of Section 97 as read with the First Schedule of the

Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27), thus require an ESIA study to be conducted,

and issuance of an ESIA certifi cate before the project commences. As part of the review

process, the Public is therefore being notifi ed of the submission of the above proposed

project for review in terms of Section 100 of the Environmental Management Act (CAP

20:27) as read with Section 10(7) of Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007.

SUMMARY OF BATOKA GORGE HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME (BGHES) PROJECT

The proposed BGHES project will be located in the central portion of the Zambezi River

Basin and will span across the international boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The

proposed Hydro Power Plant is expected to generate 2400 MW Power. In Zimbabwe, it will

be situated on the Zambezi River and approximately 47 km downstream of the Victoria Falls

in Hwange District covering Matetsi, Chidobe, Katchecheti, Nemanhanga, Mbizha, Jambezi,

Sidinda, Mashala and Simangani Wards. In Zambia, it covers parts of the Kazungula District

in Mukuni and Katapazi Wards.

The proposed BGHES includes the following key components;

1. Dam wall and reservoir, including a spillway,
2. Surface power houses, one on each side of the river,
3. Transmission lines in Zambia and Zimbabwe,
4. Access roads (and Batoka Bridge) in Zambia and Zimbabwe; and,
5. Project townships (in both Zambia and Zimbabwe) and other ancillary infrastructure (such as quarries, spoils area and batching areas).

The Full ESIA report is accessible on the following link:

https://www.zambezira.org/hydro-electric-schemes/batoka-hes-project

The Agency therefore invites comments from the Public as part of the review process on the proposed project to be emailed to batoka.esia@ema.co.zw on or before 17 October 2022.

For more information contact us on;

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AGENCY (EMA)