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Mozambique: Eight consortia express interest in Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric Project
2:57 CAT | 21 Apr 2022
Map: RM
Eight international consortia are interested in becoming Mozambique’s strategic partner in the construction of the Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric project in the centre of the country, a government source told Lusa on Wednesday.
The eight responded to the tender launched in December and delivered the prequalification documents within the deadline (last Monday).
Two consortia are Chinese (main members: Longyuan Power and PowerChina), another two are Japanese (main members: Sumitomo and Kansai), while another two are European (one from Norway, led by Scatec, and the other French, led by electric utility EDF).
There are also two other interested consortia that bring together companies of different nationalities, one of them associating Mauritius and Zambia (led by ETC Holdings Mauritius), while another includes firms from Italy and Zimbabwe (with WeBuild Group as a main member).
The next stage in the process is the evaluation of the selected consortia Statements of Qualifications (SOQ,). According to MIREME, the SOQs are currently being assesed by an evaluation committee, composed by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Land and Environment, Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, Bank of Mozambique, Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), Electricity of Mozambique (EDM) and the Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric Project Implementation Office (GMNK).
After this evaluation is completed, the Qualification Process (RFP) will be launched to culminate with the submission of proposals for the development of the Mphanda Nkuwa Hydropower project from the pre-qualified applicants.
“The project development and implementation agreement will be signed between Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) and Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), which represent the public sector, and the selected strategic partner,” the source notes, without advancing dates.
A year ago, Carlos Yum, director of the project implementation office, said that the expectation was that the construction of the dam would start in 2024, and last at least seven years.
The infrastructure cost is estimated at between US$4.5 and US$5 billion (€4 to €4.5 billion), and its 1,500 megawatt capacity will make Mphanda Nkuwa the second-largest hydroelectric plant in the country after Cahora Bassa (HCB), which generates 2,070 megawatts.
With the combined hydroelectric and other energy production projects in full operation, Mozambique hopes to achieve its goal of universal access to energy and respond to the growing energy deficit in southern Africa.
HCB was built during the colonial period, but started production after Mozambique’s independence in 1975.
List of consortia
Main member (participants) – nationalities
1. ETC Holdings Mauritius (ETC Holdings Mauritius, ZESCO) – Mauritius, Zambia
2. Longyuan Power Overseas Investment (Longyuan Power Overseas Investment, Dadu River Hydropower Development, China Energy International Group) – China
3. PowerChina Resources (PowerChina Resources, PowerChina International Group) – China
4. WeBuild Group (WeBuild Group, ZESA Holding Private) – Italy, Zimbabwe
5. Scatec – Norway
6. Sumitomo Corporation – Japan
7. EDF (EDF, TotalEnergies Renewables) – France
8. Kansai Electric Power – Japan
- Source: Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric Project Implementation Office
Source: Lusa / GMNK
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