Moz to boost power output

2008-05-17 14:40

Maputo - Mozambique's power utility Cahora Bassa Hydro Electric (HCB) plans to boost power output from the Cahora Bassa dam by up to 1 000 megawatts, in order to meet local and regional power demands.

A study which would be commissioned in the next three months will seek to evaluate the dam's potential to increase output, said HCB Chief executive officer, Paulo Muxanga said on Saturday.

"We expect to increase the output of the dam by between 870 and 1 100 megawatts and this will depend on the outcome of the study which is expected to begin in the next three months, " said Muxanga.

He said the increased output could service the local market as well as the SADC nations facing power shortages.

"Initially the expansion is expected to benefit Mozambique first but we can not forget South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botwsana who have approached us seeking more power supply from the dam," he said.

HCB currently generates 2.075 mega watts short of its potential of 14 000 MW and its full operation could provide a solution to the power crisis in the SADC region.

The power utility supplies South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana whose local production does not meet consumption demands.

Talks to supply power generated from the dam to Tanzania and Zambia were also at advanced stages, said Muxanga.

Since January, this year, the regional power house South Africa, had been battling with its worst power crisis in 20 years and has resorted to imposing load shedding programmes which have affected industrial production.

The African Develoment Bank revealed in its 2007 annual report released this week that it had approved a $500m loan to Eskom, South Africa's power utility for an expansion programme.

Eskom intends to source 15% of its power from neighbouring countries through the construction of transnational high-voltage transmission lines, said the bank.

- SAPA