Mphanda Nkuwa Dam
Mphanda Nkuwa Dam is a proposed hydroelectric dam on the Zambezi River in Mozambique. The dam would be located about 60 kilometres (37 mi) downstream of the existing Cahora Bassa Dam near the city of Tete. Its power station would have a capacity of 1,500 megawatts.[1]
| Mphanda Nkuwa Dam | |
|---|---|
  Location of Mphanda Nkuwa Dam in Mozambique | |
| Country | Mozambique |
| Coordinates | 15°59′59″S 33°26′05″E |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Proposed |
| Construction began | 2024 (Expected) |
| Construction cost | US$4.5 billion |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Concrete gravity |
| Impounds | Zambezi River |
| Height | 103 m (338 ft) |
| Reservoir | |
| Surface area | 97 km2 (37 sq mi) |
| Maximum length | 60 km (37 mi) |
| Turbines | 4 x 375 MW |
| Installed capacity | 1,500 MW |
| Annual generation | 8,600 GWh |
The dam would be 103 metres (338 ft) high[2] and flood approximately 97 square kilometres (24,000 acres) of the Zambezi valley.[1] The estimated cost of the project is US$4.2 billion.[3] Once the dam is completed, it is expected that most of the generated power will be sold to South Africa, because of the lack of transmission infrastructure in Mozambique.[1]
The proposed dam is highly controversial because it would force the relocation of 1,400 families, and affect the livelihoods of a further 200,000 people downriver. Because the dam would be operated on a peaking basis, large daily fluctuations in river flow would ruin existing irrigation systems and affect aquaculture in the river's extensive delta.[2] The United Nations has described this project as the "least environmentally acceptable major dam project in Africa."[4]
In 2015, the Mozambique government announced it would start construction of the dam. The construction was contracted to Camargo Corrêa of Brazil, INSITEC of Mozambique, and Electricidade de Moçambique.[3] In 2020, Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi wished construction of the dam started before 2024.[5]
In 2022, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary of the World Bank Group, signed agreements with the Mozambican government, indicating willingness to participate in the development of this renewable energy project.[6]
Developments
In October 2022, the Mozambican government short-listed seven companies and consortia, who will be allowed to visit the site and then formulate detailed designs and plans to develop the dam and power station.[7] The table below, outlines the entities vying for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for his project.[8]
| Rank | Developer | Domicile | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Électricité de France (EDF) | France | [8] |
| 2 | Longyuan Power Overseas Investment and PowerChina Resources | China | [8] |
| 3 | Scatec | Norway | [8] |
| 4 | Sumitomo Corporation and Kansai Electric Power | Japan | [8] |
| 5 | WeBuild Group | Italy | [8] |
| 6 | ETC Holdings Mauritius | Mauritius | [8] |
In May 2023, the Mozambican authorities selected the consortium comprising Électricité de France and TotalEnergies as the preferred bidder. Other members of the winning consortium are the Japanese companies, Sumitomo Corporation and Kansai Electric Power. Negotiations with the preferred bidder are expected to start in earnest, leading to the signing of the requisite concession agreements.[9]
The consortium comprising ETC Holdings of Mauritius, ZESCO of Zambia, CECOT, a subsidiary of Mota-Engil Group of Portugal, and PetroSA, a subsidiary of Central Energy Fund of South Africa, was selected as the reserve bidder.[9]
As part of the development, a 550 kV high-voltage direct current transmission system, measuring 1,300 kilometres (808 mi) will be built between the town of Cataxa and the country's capital city of Maputo. Total contract price is expected to amount to US$4.5 billion.[9]
Funding
In June 2023, following a meeting in Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique, between the Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric Project Implementation Office (GMNK), a delegation from the European Union(EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU and EIB committed to finance the construction of the power station to the tune of €200 million and fund the construction of the electricity transmission network to the tune of €300 million, for a total commitment of €500 million. The entire project will require US$4.5 billion to develop.[10]
References
- Machena, Yolanda; Maposa, Sibonginkosi (2013-06-13). "Zambezi Basin Dam Boom Threatens Delta". International Rivers. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
- "Zuma, Guebuza ignore effect of new hydro dam on residents". November 22, 2013.
- "New dams add 3,600 megawatts of power production in Mozambique". Macauhub. 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
- Browne, Pete (October 19, 2009). "Debate Over Dams on Africa's Zambezi River". green.blogs.nytimes.com.
- DGA. "Construção da Hidroeléctrica de Mphanda Nkuwa deve iniciar até 2024". @Verdade Online (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2020-04-11.
- Jean Marie Takouleu (23 May 2022). "Mozambique: IFC Supports Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric Project". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- Xinhua (28 September 2022). "Mozambique completes prequalification of investors for 4.5-bln-USD hydroelectric project". The Star (Malaysia). Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- Jean Marie Takouleu (12 October 2022). "Mozambique: 7 Companies Run for the Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric Mega Project". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- Jean Marie Takouleu (29 May 2023). "Mozambique: EDF and TotalEnergies qualify for the Mphanda Nkuwa mega-dam". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- Jean Marie Takouleu (12 June 2023). "Mozambique: The EU and the EIB pledge €500M for the Mphanda Nkuwa mega dam". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
External links
- Mphanda Nkuwa Hydropower Project Timeline and All You Need to Know As of 17 December 2021.