Zambezi River Authority head said the agency cleared the project. The $5bn Batoka Dam is downstream of Victoria Falls, a World Heritage Site.
Lusaka, Oct. 20 – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has dismissed reports suggesting that it had granted approval for the construction of a $5 billion hydropower dam downstream from the iconic Victoria Falls, a designated World Heritage Site, located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Also Read: Zambia cancels $5 billion project with China, see why.
Munyaradzi Munodawafa, Chief Executive Officer of the Zambezi River Authority, said in an earlier interview that Unesco’s World Heritage Committee “agreed that Batoka could go ahead,” referring to the planned dam and 2,400mw power plant on the Zambezi River.
UNESCO, however, firmly refuted any endorsement of the Batoka Dam and the associated 2,400-megawatt power plant project on the Zambezi River.
◾Concerns raised over negative impact on World Heritage Site
UNESCO’s response to these claims emphasized serious concerns about the Batoka Gorge project, particularly the unavoidable adverse effects it could have on the designated World Heritage Site.
The committee’s February 2022 report, following site inspections, raised significant issues, including the flooding of four of the eight gorges within the site.
In clear terms, UNESCO stated that the project should not proceed in its current proposed form, emphasizing the importance of preserving the site’s heritage.
◾Report calls for revisions to dam project and height reduction
The committee not only recommended a reevaluation of the environmental and social impact assessment of the planned dam but also called for a reduction in the height of the proposed dam wall.
Moreover, it expressed disapproval regarding the construction of a new hotel within the site, which was carried out despite UNESCO’s request for the suspension of such activities.
A revised study on the planned dam’s impact must be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the International Union for Conservation of Nature before any further decisions can be made.
The Batoka Dam project, led by a consortium featuring General Electric Co. and China’s Power Construction Corp., had initially aimed to commence construction in 2020. However, delays resulting from the global pandemic and financial concerns have postponed its development.
Also Read: ZESCO signs a 2.4GW PPA with CiEG of China.
This project holds significant importance for both Zambia and Zimbabwe, as they currently struggle to meet their growing power demands, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions.
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