President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, stated on Wednesday (21 May) in Maputo that the Government intends to enhance the exploitation of the Zambezi River’s hydropower potential, which accounts for around 80% of Mozambique’s total hydroelectric production capacity. The statement was made during the opening of the International Conference marking the 50th anniversary of the Cahora Bassa Hydropower Plant (HCB), under the theme “Yesterday, Today and the Future – A Strategic Company.”
“The Zambezi River holds around 80% of the country’s hydropower capacity, with structural impacts on local economies,” said the Head of State, stressing the importance of the river basin to the national energy system and regional stability.
According to the President, the Government is currently implementing initiatives to expand and modernise the energy generation and transmission system, with particular emphasis on the Mphanda Nkuwa Hydropower Project — currently undergoing community consultation — which could add over 1,500 megawatts (MW) of capacity to the national power grid. Other projects planned along the Zambezi basin include Boroma, Lupata and Chemba. The goal, Chapo said, is to ensure “greater reliability, availability and sustainability” in energy supply, in response to rising national and regional demand.
During his address, the President also highlighted the importance of diversifying the national energy mix, pointing to investments in renewable sources such as solar, wind, biomass and thermal energy in various parts of the country. “We are witnessing significant expansion across the energy sector, with increasing focus on a variety of renewable sources,” he stated.
The President also noted that recent studies, such as the Africa Energy Outlook 2024, indicate that Mozambique could account for around 20% of Africa’s future energy production by 2040, with a projected capacity of up to 187 gigawatts. This could position the country among the world’s top ten energy producers.
Historical Relevance of HCB
The conference is part of the celebrations marking 50 years of HCB, one of the largest energy-generating infrastructures in Southern Africa. The company was established during the Portuguese colonial period, with the construction of the dam taking place between 1969 and June 1, 1974. The reservoir began filling immediately after the structure was completed, and commercial operations began in 1977 with the commissioning of the first three generators, with a capacity of 960 MW. The current installed capacity stands at 2,075 MW.
Located in a narrow gorge along the Zambezi River, the Cahora Bassa reservoir is the fourth largest in Africa, stretching about 270 kilometres in length, 30 kilometres at its widest point, and covering a total area of 2,700 square kilometres. The average depth is around 26 metres.
Today, HCB is a private joint-stock company, 85% owned by the state-run Companhia Eléctrica do Zambeze, 7.5% by Portuguese firm Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN), 3.5% in treasury shares, and 4% held by Mozambican citizens, companies, and institutions.
The plant currently employs around 800 people and is considered a cornerstone in supplying electricity to the country and the region, serving major clients like Mozal as well as energy utilities in neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Zimbabwe, through the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) network.
The conference continues with discussions on the role of power plants in regional economic development, the challenges posed by climate change, and opportunities for cooperation in the Southern African energy sector.
Source: Diário Económico
