The director of Electrification and Projects at Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), Cláudio Dambe, said that the authorities are collaborating closely with the Indian contractor hired to carry out the work on the high-voltage transmission line, with the aim of speeding up the current pace of work.
According to the newspaper Noticias, Cláudio Dambe recognised that until recently the progress of the works was worrying, leading to the creation of an action plan to reverse the situation.
‘At the moment, we have technicians on the ground assessing what has actually been done, and I believe that in the next few days we will have the results,’ said Cláudio Dambe.
The same source recognised that the delays were not only in Mozambique, but also on the Malawi side. However, he emphasised that the situation is more serious in Mozambique.
‘There is indeed a delay in Malawi, but in Mozambique the length of the line is twice as long as in the neighbouring country and the contractor is the same, which is why the problems on the other side of the border are also occurring here,’ explained Cláudio Dambe, noting that the delays on the Mozambican side are not entirely attributable to the Indian contractor, due to the initial need to hire a specialised company for demining and to negotiate the crossing of the line through an area reserved for mining.
The first assessment of this plan will be made in a few days, later this month, with preliminary results expected soon.
It should be remembered that the foundation stone for the construction of the high-voltage transmission line between Mozambique and Malawi was laid in November 2021. Due to initial delays, work only began in March 2023.
“The high-voltage line between Mozambique and Malawi will be 560 kilometres long, 280 in each country. This infrastructure will enable the interconnection of the electricity grids of the two countries and the export of surplus energy from Mozambique to Malawi,’ reads the news item.
According to the newspaper, valued at 381.5 million dollars, the high-voltage line is being financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank (WB).
The project aims to increase access to electricity in the region, promoting economic and social development in both countries.
