Batoka Gorge South is a 1,200MW hydro power project. It is planned on Zambezi river/basin in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe. The project is currently in permitting stage. It will be developed in single phase. The project construction is likely to commence in 2022 and is expected to enter into commercial operation in 2028.

Project Type	Total Capacity (MW)	Active Capacity (MW)	Pipeline Capacity (MW)	Project Status	Project Location	Project Developer
Hydropower	1,200	–	1,200	Permitting	Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe	General Electric; Power Construction Corporation of China

Description

The project is being developed by General Electric and Power Construction Corporation of China. The project is currently owned by Zambezi River Authority.

Batoka Gorge South is a run-of-river project. The hydro reservoir capacity is planned to be 1,680 million cubic meter. The net head of the project will be 166.55m. The total number of penstocks, pipes or long channels that carry water down from the hydroelectric reservoir to the turbines inside the actual power station, is expected to be 4 in number. The penstock diameter will be 7m. The project is expected to generate 5,107.5 GWh of electricity. The project cost is expected to be around $2bn.

The hydro power project consists of 6 turbines, each with 200MW nameplate capacity.

Development Status

The project construction is expected to commence from 2022. Subsequent to that it will enter into commercial operation by 2028.

Power Purchase Agreement

The power generated from the project will be sold to Zimbabwe Power under a power purchase agreement.

About General Electric

General Electric Co (GE) is an industrial conglomerate. It provides a range of industrial, infrastructure and financial products and services. The company offers a wide range of products and services, ranging from aircraft engines, power generation and oil and gas production equipment to medical imaging, financing and industrial products. By integrating its engineering capabilities with software and analytics, GE assists companies in securing efficient, reliable and safe work environment. It also offers a comprehensive range of financial services to its customers. The company serves customers in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa and other regions; and has manufacturing facilities across the world. GE is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the US.

About Power Construction Corporation of China

Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) is a state-owned construction company. It provides contracting, survey and design services for water conservation, wind power, thermal power, hydropower projects and power and infrastructure projects. PowerChina also manufactures power station auxiliary equipment and metal component products. It offers engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to hydropower, water works, thermal power, energy, and transmission and distribution projects. PowerChina’s brands include Hydrochina, Sepco III, Hypec and Sinohydro. The company carries out real estate, investment and finance businesses, and provides operations and maintenance (O&M) services. The company executes construction projects in Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, the Americas and Europe. PowerChina is headquartered in Beijing, China.

Methodology

All power projects included in this report are drawn from GlobalData’s Power Intelligence Center. The information regarding the project parameters is sourced through secondary information sources such as electric utilities, equipment manufacturers, developers, project proponent’s – news, deals and financial reporting, regulatory body, associations, government planning reports and publications. Wherever needed the information is further validated through primary from various stakeholders across the power value chain and professionals from leading players within the power sector.