• By 2034, the Batoka Hydro Electric Power Scheme is expected to be fully operational.
• It will address the challenge of electricity deficit in Zambia and the Southern Africa region.
• SADC countries are expected to benefit from the stability of a parallel transmission system emanating from the Batoka Gorge Scheme.
Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has disclosed that the Batoka Hydro Electric Power Scheme is likely to be fully operational by 2034, and SADC countries are expected to benefit from the stability of a parallel transmission system emanating from the Scheme.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Extended 45th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ZRA Chief Executive Officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa applauded the landmark decision by World Heritage Committee to adopt proposed amendments by the States Parties of Zambia and Zimbabwe to the Draft Decision 44 COM 7B.10 about the State of Conservation Report on the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls World Heritage Site.
Engineer Munodawafa said the adoption of the Draft Decision has brought about clarity and has resolved inconsistencies raised on the perceived impact of the implementation of the proposed Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme (BGHES) within the World Heritage site.
“By 2034, the Batoka Hydro Electric Power Scheme is expected to be fully operational. The SADC countries are expected to benefit from the stability of a parallel transmission system emanating from the Batoka Gorge Scheme,” Engineer Munodawafa stated.
He added that ZRA will bring on board key stakeholders to ensure that the proposed Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme becomes a global prototype for sustainable development hydro projects under the World Heritage Convention.
“The Authority is immensely committed to ensuring that the proposed project achieves the balance between conservation, sustainability and development for the appropriate and equitable protection of the Outstanding Universal Value of the world heritage site that contributes to the quality of life of all communities concerned,” he added.
According to a statement issued by Naomi Mweemba, First Secretary-Press at the Zambian Embassy in Paris, the Batoka project will now be a twofold success story for the local and international communities.
It will address the challenge of electricity deficit in Zambia and the Southern Africa region, boost Africa’s economic growth and development in line with the African Agenda for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future by 2063.
The project will also provide answers to a global challenge of how to practically integrate the sustainable development perspective in the management of World Heritage.
The Batoka Gorge project will provide practical and measurable lessons of implementing sustainable development projects within and around world heritage sites to the World.
The World Heritage Committee sitting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has adopted the draft decision on the State of Conservation Report of the MVFWHS as amended and set a tone for collective implementation of sustainable development projects within and around heritage sites under the World Heritage context.
