Zambezi River Basin

Planned Developments in the Zambezi Basin

Proposed Dams and Hydropower Projects Water has many critical roles in the realization of socio-economic development in southern Africa. One such role is to provide hydropower to help the region to meet its ever-growing demand for energy. SADC Member States, through the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), have thus planned to commission a number of hydropower projects in the Zambezi River Basin. The Basin is considered to have enormous capacity to produce sufficient power for the region if fully harnessed. SAPP estimates that the Zambezi River has the potential to produce more than 20 000 Megawatts (MW) of electricity (Tauya 2006). However, only 23 per cent of this potential is being harnessed, largely from two main sites: the Kariba Dam between Zambia and

Zimbabwe, and the Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique (SARDC 2009c). To fully exploit its potential, various projects have been identified for commissioning in the Zambezi Basin. Batoka Gorge Hydropower Station The Batoka gorge is located about 50 km downstream of Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe. When operational, it has the capacity to produce up to 1 600 MW. National power utilities from the two countries are ready to begin work on the project. However, limited funding, environmental concerns and technical challenges have stalled the process. Zambia and Zimbabwe have also identified other sites on the Zambezi River fromwhich they could jointly tap electricity. These sites include the Devils Gorge (1 200 MW), Mutapa Gorge (1 085 MW) and Victoria Falls South (390 MW) (Tumbare, 2005).

Existing and potential hydropower projects on the Zambezi River

Elevation above sea level

Existing site

900

Victoria Falls

Potential site

800

Batoka gorge

700

Devils gorge

600

Kariba dam

500

Mupata gorge

400

Chaora Bassa

300

Zambezi River

200

100

200

0

400 600 Distance from Victoria falls (kilometres) 800

1 000

1 200

1 400

200

Source: SADC and ZRA 2007. Rapid Assessment Report: IntegratedWater Resources Management Strategy for the Zambezi River Basin. SADCWater Division, Gaborone

Figure 5.3

Table 5.1. Rehabilitation and Planned Energy Projects in the Zambezi Basin

Projected Generation Capacity, MW

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Total

Angola Botswana Malawi Mozambique

150 120

150 120

150 120

150 120

150 120

150 120

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

Namibia Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe

23 60 - 290

23 60 - 290

23 60 - 290

23 60 - 290

23 60 - 290

23 60 - 290

Source: Musaba 2012

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