Dam in Blantyre District, Southern Region
| Kholombidzo Hydroelectric Power Station | |
|---|---|
  Location in Malawi | |
| Country | Malawi |
| Location | Kholombidzo, Blantyre District, Southern Region |
| Coordinates | 15°23′41″S 34°53′39″E / 15.39472°S 34.89417°E / -15.39472; 34.89417 |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Proposed |
| Construction began | 2018 Expected |
| Construction cost | $435 million |
| Owner(s) | Electricity Generation Company Malawi Limited |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Run-of-river |
| Impounds | Shire River |
| Kholombidzo Power Station | |
| Commission date | 2021 Expected |
| Turbines | 4×50 MW |
| Installed capacity | 200 megawatts (270,000 hp) |
Kholombidzo Dam, also Kholombidzo Hydroelectric Power Station is a planned 200 megawatts (270,000 hp) hydroelectric dam in Malawi.
Location
The power station would be located across the Shire River, in the village of Kholombidzo, Blantyre District, in the Southern Region of Malawi. Kholombidzo, is the location of Kholombidzo Falls (formerly Murchison Falls), adjacent to the village of Chipironje. This is about 52 kilometres (32 mi), by road, north-west of Blantyre, the financial capital of Malawi.
Overview and history
In 2013, the government of Malawi advertised for bids to carry out feasibility studies for a power station with capacity of 160–370 megawatts, using US$2 million granted to Malawi by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The contract for the feasibility study and project design was awarded to COBA, a Portuguese engineering firm. It is anticipated that the plant will be built under the public-private-partnership (PPP) model, with the Electricity Generation Company Malawi Limited (Egenco), representing the government.
The power generated is expected to be evacuated via the nearby 400kV substation at Phombeya, approximately 16.5 kilometres (10.3 mi), by road, to the north of Kholombidzo Falls.
Construction, cost and funding
The feasibility study put the cost of construction at US$435 million. The scope of work involves construction of (a) a dam (b) a powerhouse (c) a substation (d) service roads. It also includes the installation of (e) four turbines (f) transformers (g) generators and (h) the laying of transmission lines. Construction is expected to start in 2018 and conclude in 2021. In 2020, beginning of construction was pushed back to 2021, with completion planned for 2024.
See also
References
- ^ Chirambo, Martha (18 November 2016), "Another Hydropower Power Plant for Malawi", The Nation (Malawi), Bantyre, retrieved 21 April 2018
- Mapcarta (21 April 2018). "Murchison Falls, Malawi, Africa". Mapcarta.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- "Road Distance Between Blantyre and Chipironje" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
- Hydroworld (28 August 2013). "Malawi seeks feasibility study of 370MW Kholombidzo Hydro Project". Hydroworld.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- Bentley.com (2017). "Project Profile: Kholombidzo Hydropower Electric Plant". Bentley.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ Maravi Post (19 November 2016). "Malawi to have another hydropower plant". Atlanta: Energycentral.com Quoting The Maravi Post. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
- US Government (22 February 2017). "Malawi Country Commercial Guide: Malawi Energy: Kholombidzo Hydroelectric Power Station". Washington, DC: Department of Commerce, United States Government. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- Globefeed.com (21 April 2018). "Distance between Chipironje, Malawi and Phombeya 132/400kV Substation, M1, Malawi". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- Export Credit Norway (30 January 2020). "Hydropower Annual Market Report Annual Report 2020: Malawi" (PDF). Oslo: Export Credit Norway. p. 14. Retrieved 11 July 2020.