The Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric Plant (HCB) has reduced its energy production capacity by around 50 megawatts, due to the effects of the EL Nino phenomenon in the region, Radio Moçambique reported on Thursday 11 July .
The agency’s explanation is that the reduction is due to the low capacity of the hydraulic infrastructure, since the countries upstream, i.e. Zambia and Zimbabwe, are suffering from a shortage of rain. The alternative found aims to safeguard the useful life of the equipment.
The chairman of HBC’s Board of Directors, Tomás Matola, said that despite the reduction imposed by the El Ñino phenomenon, the first half of this year was characterised by record levels in relation to the planned target.
He warned that if the water shortage continues until the start of the next rainy season, electricity production at the enterprise could be jeopardised. “At the moment, no discharges are being made at the HCB dam, an alternative that aims to retain the small amount of water coming upstream from the infrastructure,” he said.
