Zimbabwe and Zambia want to build a massive power plant on the Zambezi River. The Batoka Gorge Hydropower Project would cost 5 billion dollars. It would create 2,400 megawatts of electricity for southern Africa. The two countries have tried to make this happen since 1992. They keep running into problems that stop the project.
The power plant would sit 54 kilometers downstream from Victoria Falls. Environmental groups worry about damaging the famous waterfall area. They say flooding parts of the gorge could hurt wildlife and tourism. The Falls bring thousands of visitors each year to both countries. UNESCO protects this area as a World Heritage Site.
Money troubles make everything harder for both governments. Zimbabwe owes 21 billion dollars to other countries. Zambia just finished restructuring its debt after defaulting on bonds. Banks and investors worry about lending money to countries with such high debt. The governments struggle to promise they can pay back loans.
The countries fired their previous contractors after finding bidding problems. They set September 2025 as the new deadline to pick companies for the job. Leaders believe the project could solve electricity shortages that hurt economic growth. The region needs more clean energy to replace diesel generators.
The power plant would sit 54 kilometers downstream from Victoria Falls. Environmental groups worry about damaging the famous waterfall area. They say flooding parts of the gorge could hurt wildlife and tourism. The Falls bring thousands of visitors each year to both countries. UNESCO protects this area as a World Heritage Site.
Money troubles make everything harder for both governments. Zimbabwe owes 21 billion dollars to other countries. Zambia just finished restructuring its debt after defaulting on bonds. Banks and investors worry about lending money to countries with such high debt. The governments struggle to promise they can pay back loans.
The countries fired their previous contractors after finding bidding problems. They set September 2025 as the new deadline to pick companies for the job. Leaders believe the project could solve electricity shortages that hurt economic growth. The region needs more clean energy to replace diesel generators.
