Page 8 - AfrElec Week 17 2022

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Chinese, Japanese groups

in race to build $4.5bn

Mozambique dam

MOZAMBIQUE TWO Chinese construction groups and as many “Other likely bidders are EDF (EDF, TotalEn-
from Japan are among the eight companies in ergies Renewables), from France; ETC Holdings
total interested in building a $4.5bn dam on a Mauritius (ETC Holdings Mauritius, ZESCO);
river in northern Mozambique. WeBuild Group (WeBuild Group, ZESA Hold-
Mphanda Nkuwa Dam will be on the Zam- ing Private); and Scatec, from Norway,” said the
bezi, a regional river that rises in northwest publication.
Zambia and flows through Angola, Namibia, “The next step will be the evaluation of the
Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique before qualification declarations of each consortium,
it empties into the Indian Ocean. after which the proposals for the development of
Its wall will be 103 metres high and the res- the hydroelectric project can be presented. The
ervoir will flood 97 square kilometres. A hydro- selected strategic partner will sign the project
power plant will be built to generate 1,500MW, development and implementation agreement
60km downstream of the existing Cahora Bassa with Electricidade de Moçambique and Hidro-
Dam, also in Mozambique, which generates eléctrica de Cahora Bassa , which represents the
2,070MW. public sector.”
Citing Mozambique government sources, Mozambique’s government has said that the
Macao News reported on Wednesday (April 27) dam construction works should start in 2024
the eight international consortia responded to a and last at least seven years.
tender launched in December 2021. The proposed dam has been criticised as it
Among them is China’s Longyuan Power will displace 1,400 people and disrupt the lives
Overseas Investment group, which includes of 200,000 more downstream.
Longyuan Power Overseas Investment, Dadu “Because the dam would be operated on a
River Hydropower Development and China peaking basis, large daily fluctuations in river
Energy International Group. Also in the race flow would ruin existing irrigation systems and
from China is PowerChina Resources, compris- affect aquaculture in the river’s extensive delta,”
ing PowerChina Resources and PowerChina writes Macao News, noting that the United
International Group. Nations has described this project as the “least
From Japan, pre-qualifiers for the bid are environmentally acceptable major dam project
Sumitomo Corporation and Kansai Electric in Africa”.™
Power.

P8 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 17 28•April•2022