The development of the Mpatamanga Hydro Power Plant (MHPP) is consolidating as one of the most relevant initiatives in terms of electricity infrastructure for Malawi. Located on the Shire River, the project is being developed by Mpatamanga Hydro Power Limited (MHPL) in partnership with the Government of Malawi under a Public-Private Partnership scheme.
Logistical advances at the Mpatamanga Hydroelectric Power Plant
The facility will have two power plants: a 301 MW main plant and a 57 MW regulating plant. Together they will reach a total generation capacity of 358 MW, which will allow supplying the national grid, especially during peak demand hours. This operational flexibility is key to balancing the electricity supply and responding to variations in consumption.
The main reservoir will occupy 20.2 km² and will store 272.5 million m³ of water, with 58 million m³ destined for power generation. Through subway tunnels, the water will be directed to the turbines of the main plant and then to a 45-meter-high regulating dam, which will manage the flow to the secondary plant.
The electricity generated will be integrated into the grid through two transmission lines: a 400 kV, 64 km line to Phombeya and a 132 kV, 11.4 km line linking to the Tedzani-Kapichira line. These connections will improve power distribution capacity nationwide.
The project will be operated for 30 years by MHPL before being transferred to the Government of Malawi. The company was incorporated in 2022 with participation from Electricité de France(EDF), TotalEnergies and other international financial institutions.
A section of the S137 road will be relocated, new access roads will be built, and temporary camps for workers will be set up. The entire process has been designed considering technical, social, and environmental criteria, as well as including community safety measures.
Source and photo: MHPL