The Zambezi River Authority Council of Minister’s has shortlisted three developers for the Batoka George Hydro Electric Scheme.
At a meeting held in Livingstone, Zambia, the Council of Minister’s approved the shortlisting of a Consortium of General Electric of USA and Power Corporation of China and Salini Impregilo of Italy.
In a joint communique delivered at the end of the meeting today and read by Council of Minister’s Chairman Matthew Nkhuwa says the Ministers have stated that the project will be schemed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) financing model.
Mr. Nkhuwa, who is also Zambia’s Minister of Energy, says the project will not put any fiscal strain on the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe as no sovereign guarantees will be required.
He says the Ministers have also resolved that three preparatory studies which include, engineering feasibility study, environmental and social impact assessment, and legal and financial transaction advisory services, will be completed by end of the first quarter of 2019.
“The Ministers have also agreed that the request for proposals will be launched by April, 2019, while the final developer for the gorge will be appointed by September, 2019,” he said.
The Ministers took the opportunity to reiterate their commitment to strengthening cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
The members of the Zambezi River Authority Council of Ministers are: Chairman Matthews Nkhuwa Minister of Energy –Zambia, Dr. Joram Gumbo Minister of Energy & Power Development (Zimbabwe) Co-Chairman, Margaret Mwanakatwe Minister of Finance (Zambia), Professor Mthuli Ncube Minister of Finance and Economic Development (Zimbabwe).
The other members of the Zambian delegation were Attorney General Likando Kalaluka, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary for Economic Management and Finance Mukuli Chikuba and Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary Brigadier General (Retired) Emeldah Chola.
This is contained in a statement issued to Money FM News by Ministry of Energy Director Energy Arnold Simwaba.

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