Africa

Sweco awarded contract for rehabilitation at 2,075-MW Cahora Bassa hydropower plant

Consulting firm Sweco recently announced it has received a US$5.2 million contract related to the rehabilitation of the 2,075-MW Cahora Bassa hydropower plant in Mozambique.
Sweco awarded contract for rehabilitation at 2,075-MW Cahora Bassa hydropower plant

Consulting firm Sweco recently announced it has received a US$5.2 million contract related to the rehabilitation of the 2,075-MW Cahora Bassa hydropower plant in Mozambique.

The Cahora Bassa hydropower plant and dam are on the Zambezi River in Mozambique. The hydro project can generate up to 18 000 GWh of electricity per year. The power station also exports a significant amount of its production to South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.

Cahora Bassa was built in the 1970s and the five turbine-generator units are now in need of rehabilitation. Owner Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa S.A. has commissioned Sweco as advisor and to monitor the installation of new equipment. Sweco has been assigned the task of identifying the scope of the rehabilitation needs, drafting technical specifications and providing technical support in the procurement of contractors, and supervising the works to be carried out.

“Sweco has extensive experience and competence in the rehabilitation of hydropower plants internationally. It´s gratifying to be a part of another project with a great effect on the energy supply in Southern Africa, as well as being involved in a project that is an important part of achieving several of the UN’s global goals for sustainable development,” says Ann-Louise Lokholm Klasson, president of Sweco Sweden.

The project is scheduled for completion by 2025. Brazilian company Intertechne Consultores SA is a consortium partner for parts of the project implementation, Sweco says.

Mozambique is one of 20 developing countries globally where Sustainable Energy for All says there are almost 1 billion people without access to electricity. These 20 countries — known as the high-impact countries —together account for nearly 80% of those living without access to sustainable energy.