Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric project in Mozambique to generate power in 2030

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10-08-2021
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Construction Review Online
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Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric project in Mozambique will start generating power in 2030. This is according to the official government spokesperson, Deputy Justice Minister Filimao Suaze.

“I am confident that this dam will be built by 2025 and in 2030 will see the effective take-off of this project,” said Minister Filimao Suaze.

The hyrdoelctric plant project will be located 61 km southeast of the Cahora Bassa dam. The project aims to increase the amount of electricity transmitted through the Teemaputo line. Plans to develop the project had been approved in 2007, however controversial issues on relocation of families that will be affected by the project and its effect on the Zambesi’s downstream irrigation systems stalled the implementation.

Boost national power grid

Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric project was relaunched in August 2018, by President Filipe Nyusi, who announced that the public electricity company EDM, and HCB, the company that operates Cahora Bassa Dam, will be responsible for restarting the initiative.

The power station will have a capacity of 1,500 megawatts, and the reservoir area of ​​the dam will exceed 100 km2. Additionally, there will be construction of a transmission line which will bring the overall cost of the project to US $4.4bn. This is equivalent to Mozambique’s 2020 investment budget of US $5bn.

Electricity produced from Mphanda Nkuwa is set to boost Mozambique’s national power grid. Part of the production will be sold to neighbouring countries, notably Lesoth and South Africa. The government also plans to sell most of its shares to potential investor.

Successful investor(s) will implement the project in partnership with the state-owned companies, Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) and Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa, which already operates a 2,075 MW hydroelectric plant on the Zambezi River.

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