Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), the operator of the Cahora Bassa dam, has kicked off the second phase of a major rehabilitation project aimed at boosting the capacity and lifespan of the massive hydroelectric complex.
The project, dubbed Centro Sul (RS2), will overhaul the power station on the south bank of the Zambezi River. It forms a central component of HCB’s Vital Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) 10-Year Investment Plan.
The primary goal is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the power production system, according to HCB Board Chairperson Tomás Matola. With the RS2 implementation, HCB expects to increase the plant’s total generation capacity by 90 megawatts (MW), raising the output of each of the five generators from 415 MW to 433 MW.
The upgrade is crucial for the region’s energy security. “The increase will strengthen the region’s energy supply, supporting economic growth, and extending the plant’s operational lifespan by more than 45 years,” Matola stated, noting the project will mitigate downtime risks.
The plan involves the annual rehabilitation of each of the five power generators, including equipment replacement. HCB has enlisted a consortium led by Andritz Hydro, along with consultants SIJV (Sweco and Intertechne Joint Venture) and Fichtner, all firms with extensive experience in hydropower, to execute the plan.
To offset the temporary production deficit during the phased rehabilitation, HCB is accelerating two strategic new projects: the Cahora Bassa North Power Station (1,245 MW) and a Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant (400 MWac), both in Tete Province. This infrastructure drive aims to diversify renewable energy production and consolidate HCB’s position as a dominant hydropower producer in Southern Africa.
