Kholombidzo Hydroelectric Power Station

Kholombidzo Dam, also Kholombidzo Hydroelectric Power Sation is a planned 200 megawatts (270,000 hp) hydroelectric dam in Malawi.[1]

Kholombidzo Hydroelectric Power Station
Location in Malawi
CountryMalawi
LocationKholombidzo, Blantyre District, Southern Region
Coordinates15°23′41″S 34°53′39″E
PurposePower
StatusProposed
Construction began2018 Expected
Construction cost$435 million
Owner(s)Electricity Generation Company Malawi Limited
Dam and spillways
Type of damRun-of-river
ImpoundsShire River
Kholombidzo Power Station
Commission date2021 Expected
Turbines4×50 MW
Installed capacity200 megawatts (270,000 hp)

Location

The power station would be located across the Shire River, in the village of Kholombidzo, Blantyre District, in the Southern Region of Malawi. Kholombidzo, is the location of Kholombidzo Falls (formerly Murchison Falls), adjacent to the village of Chipironje.[2] This is about 57 kilometres (35 mi), by road, north-west of Blantyre, the financial capital and largest city of Malawi.[3]

Overview and history

In 2013, the government of Malawi advertised for bids to carry out feasibility studies for a power station with capacity of 160–370 megawatts, using US$2 million granted to Malawi by the African Development Bank (AfDB).[4]

The contract for the feasibility study and project design was awarded to COBA, a Portuguese engineering firm.[5] It is anticipated that the plant will be built under the public-private-partnership (PPP) model, with the Electricity Generation Company Malawi Limited (Egenco), representing the government.[6]

The power generated is expected to be evacuated via the nearby 400kV substation at Phombeya,[7] approximately 16.5 kilometres (10.3 mi), by road, to the north of Kholombidzo Falls.[8]

Construction, cost and funding

The feasibility study put the cost of construction at US$435 million. The scope of work involves construction of (a) a dam (b) a powerhouse (c) a substation (d) service roads. It also includes the installation of (e) four turbines (f) transformers (g) generators and (h) the laying of transmission lines. Construction is expected to start in 2018 and conclude in 2021.[1][6]

See also

References
  1. Chirambo, Martha (18 November 2016), "Another Hydropower Power Plant for Malawi", The Nation (Malawi), Bantyre, retrieved 21 April 2018
  2. Mapcarta (21 April 2018). "Murchison Falls, Malawi, Africa". Mapcarta.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  3. Globefeed.com (21 April 2018). "Distance between Post Office, Blantyre, Malawi and Chipironje, Malawi". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  4. Hydroworld (28 August 2013). "Malawi seeks feasibility study of 370MW Kholombidzo Hydro Project". Hydroworld.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  5. Bentley.com (2017). "Project Profile: Kholombidzo Hydropower Electric Plant". Bentley.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  6. Maravi Post (19 November 2016). "Malawi to have another hydropower plant". Atlanta: Energycentral.com Quoting The Maravi Post. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  7. US Government (22 February 2017). "Malawi Country Commercial Guide: Malawi Energy: Kholombidzo Hydroelectric Power Station". Washington, DC: Department of Commerce, United States Government. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  8. Globefeed.com (21 April 2018). "Distance between Chipironje, Malawi and Phombeya 132/400kV Substation, M1, Malawi". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
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