Mpatamanga Hydroelectric Power Station
Mpatamanga Hydroelectric Power Station, also Mpatamanga Power Station, is a planned 350 megawatts (470,000 hp) hydroelectric power project to be constructed in Malawi.[1][2]
| Mpatamanga Hydroelectric Power Station | |
|---|---|
  Map showing the location of Mpatamanga. | |
| Country | Malawi |
| Location | Mpatamanga, Blantyre District |
| Coordinates | 15°43′11″S 34°43′35″E |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Proposed |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Shire River |
| Mpatamanga Power Station | |
| Commission date | 2027 (Expected) |
| Installed capacity | 350 megawatts (470,000 hp) |
Location
The power station will be located at Mpatamanga, on the Shire River, in Blantyre District, in the Southern Region of Malawi. This is approximately 53 kilometres (33 mi), by road, north-west of the city of Blantyre, the financial capital and largest city in the country.[3] The coordinates of the village of Mpatamanga are: 15°43'11.0"S, 34°43'35.0"E (Latitude:-15.719722; Longitude:34.726389).[4]
Overview
Mpatamanga Power Station is a proposed 350 megawatts (470,000 hp) hydroelectric power plant that will be constructed on the Shire River, downstream of the Nkhula A HPP & Nkhula B HPP, as well as the Tedzani Hydroelectric Power Station, but upstream of the Kapichira Hydroelectric Power Station. Mpatamanga HPP will differ from earlier hydro-power plants in Malawi, in that it will have a reservoir, which will allow Egenco to store water and allow for the expansion of Kapichira HPP. The reservoir will also facilitate the development of a planned irrigation scheme.[2][5]
Timeline
As of April 2017, the environmental impact and social assessment (EISA) and the feasibility study (FS), both funded by the World Bank were ongoing. Meanwhile, the government of Malawi was negotiating for international funding to start construction.[2][5]
Developments
In 2019, the planned capacity of the power station was reduced from 350 megawatts to 258 megawatts. The consortium developing this power station was announced to include the following entities as illustrated in the table below.[6][7]
| Rank | Developer | Domicile | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government of Malawi | Malawi | [6][7] |
| 2 | IFC InfraVentures | United States | [6][7] |
| 3 | Scatec ASA | Norway | [6][7] |
| 4 | Power Africa | United States | [6][7] |
In August 2021, it was reported that IFC InfraVentures had made an equity investment of US$150 million into the development of this project. Also the same entity had taken over as lead developer and development manager for the infrastructure development. As of then the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor was yet to be selected.[8]
Recent events
In September 2022, Afrik21.africa reported that the design of the project had been altered to comprise two power stations supplied by the same reservoir.[9]
Mpatamanga 1
The main power station, with capacity of 309 MW is intended to supply the national grid during peak hours.[9]
Mpatamanga 2
A smaller power station with capacity of 41 MW will sit adjacent to the main power plant and the two will be synchronized.[9]
The composition of the Mpatamanga HPP Consortium had also changed again. The table below illustrates the new shareholders, as of that time.[9]
| Rank | Developer | Domicile | Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government of Malawi | Malawi | 30.0 | [9] |
| 2 | IFC InfraVentures | United States | 15.0 | [9] |
| 3 | Électricité de France | France | 27.5 | [9] |
| 4 | Scatec ASA | Norway | 14.0 | [9] |
| 5 | British International Investment and Norfund | United Kingdom & Norway | 13.5 | [9] |
| Total | 100.00 | [9] | ||
See also
References
- US Government (22 February 2017). "Malawi Country Commercial Guide: Malawi Energy: Mpatamanga Hydroelectric Power Station". Washington, DC: Department of Commerce, United States Government. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- Nkwawihe, Maurice (5 April 2017). "Egenco in Multi-Billion Electricity Projects". Nyasa Times. Blantyre. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- Globefeed.com (19 April 2018). "Distance between Post Office, Blantyre, Malawi and Mpatamanga, Malawi". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- Google (19 April 2018). "Location of Mpatamanga, Blantyre District, Southern Region, Malawi" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- Sabola, Taonga (11 April 2017). "Egenco plans additional power stations". The Daily Times (Malawi). Blantyre. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- Ashley Theron (15 April 2021). "Malawi: JDA signed for hydropower plant". ESI-Africa. Rondebosch, South Africa. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- Jean Marie Takouleu (17 April 2019). "Malawi: IFC InfraVentures invests in Mpatamanga hydroelectric project". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- Fidelis John (15 August 2021). "Malawi signs US $150m deal for Mpatamanga Hydroelectric project". Construction Review Online. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- Jean Marie Takouleu (7 September 2022). "Malawi: EDF and Scatec Sign PPP for Mpatamanga Hydroelectric Plant". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 8 September 2022.