Select Here>>> Home H.P.Zambezi F.Study P.Site P.Deveplopment E.S.Issues

Many studies concerning the hydropower potential of the Mozambican part of the river Zambezi have been prepared . While all studies agreed that the most promising sites are in the river section stretching some 70 km downstream from Cahora Bassa, the baseline assumptions, and the quality of these studies were quite different. Thus, they did not constitute a reliable and coherent base for the optiMNm development of that river section.

The Mozambican government decided therefore in the late 1990s to embark on a comprehensive and up-to-date feasibility study that could eventually be used as a bankable document for the implementation of a new hydropower project. French and (mainly) German funds were secured for this study. After a bidding procedure (European Union) a joint venture of Lahmeyer International, Électricité de France, and Knight Piésold was selected as consultant. A substantial group of Mozambican, South African, and Zimbabwean sub-consultants have been in charge of the environmental and social impact assessment (EIA/SIA). A South African specialist firm was entrusted with the geological investigations.

The study has been organised in two Phases:

• PHASE 1 PROJECT DEFINITION

The first step of the study was a compilation, updating, and screening of all previous studies. Then, a comparative study was conducted for hydropower developments in four different sites (including a number of sub-locations) between Cahora Bassa and the city of Tete (about 150 km of river). All relevant subjects were treated and the results were presented in a series of reports.

The study covered a wide range of subjects such as, meteorology, hydrology and sediment transport, environmental and social impacts, topographical survey and mapping, geological and geotechnical investigations, reservoir operation and energy generation, preliminary design, energy transmission, power market, cost estimation, economic analysis and least cost development planning. The results were presented in the Project Definition Report (Oct 00).

All reports and the findings presented in them were continuously scruitinised by UTIP with assistance from its staff of international consultants. A Panel of Expents (POE) recruited from various industrialised countries and representing all disciplines of relevance to the project has also followed, discussed and commented on the reports at regular intervals in POE - MNtings arranged by UTIP. This applied in particular to the Project Definition Report  As a result, a staged development of Mphanda Nkuwa dam and power plant and Cahora Bassa North Extension was officially selected by the Government for further study at feasibility level.

The recommendation of developing the new dam at Mphanda Nkuwa is justified by technical, financial and environmental considerations, in particular the necessity of river re-regulation downstream of Cahora Bassa.

• PHASE 2 FEASIBILITY STUDY

Phase 2 of the study started in October 2000 and has as its main objective to bring the recommended project to feasibility level. The subjects treated in the Feasibility Study are listed below with indication of the time for submission of reports:

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