Zambezi River Authority Approves Additional Two Billion Cubic Meters of Water for Power Generation in 2026
Zambezi River Authority Approves Additional Two Billion Cubic Meters of Water for Power Generation in 2026
The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) Council of Ministers directed faster implementation of the $4.2 billion Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Scheme (BGHES).
Zimbabwe and Zambia are expected to contribute $220 million in equity and seek additional partnerships to improve the project’s bankability. The funds will support construction of the BGHES Dam at the start of the 2026 budget cycle, with flexible timelines.
On water allocation, the COM approved 30 billion cubic meters (BCM) for power generation, equally shared between Zimbabwean and Zambian utilities, up from 28 BCM last year. The authority is also exploring a canal to draw water from the Congo Basin.
The ZRA is evaluating power imports from Tanzania and Angola, with 912 km of 330 kV transmission lines and substations under development. COM urged fast-tracking the Zambia interconnection project to enhance regional power trade.
The ZRA is also procuring an Early Warning System to protect downstream communities from disasters, expected to be completed by December 2026.
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