Mavuzi Hydroelectric Power Station Explained

Mavuzi Hydroelectric Power Station
Location Map:Mozambique
Location Map Caption:Map of Mozambique showing the location of Mavuzi Power Station
Coordinates:-19.5261°N 33.4931°W
Country:Mozambique
Location:Maria, Manica Province
Purpose:P
Status:O
Owner:Government of Mozambique
Operator:Electricidade de Mozambique
Dam Crosses:Revue River
Res Elevation:160m (530feet)
Plant Commission:1957 & 2017
Plant Turbines:5 (Francis)
Plant Capacity:41MW

The Mavuzi Hydroelectric Power Station is an operational hydroelectric power project in Mozambique. The power plant, first established in 1957,[1] underwent upgrades and rehabilitation in 2017, adjusting its generating capacity, from 52 megawatts to 41 megawatts, with prolongation of its lifespan by another thirty years.[2]

Location

The power station is located near the villages of Maria and Costina, in Manica Province, along the Revue River, downstream of the Chicamba Hydroelectric Power Station. This location is approximately, by road, south-east of the town of Manica, where the provincial capital is located. Costina is located about 64km (40miles), by road, south of the city of Chimoio, the largest city in Manica Province. The geographical coordinates of Mavuzi HPP are: 19°31'34.0"S, 33°29'35.0"E (Latitude:-19.526111, Longitude:33.493056).

Overview

Mavuzi Hydroelectric Power Station (41 megawatts), together with nearby Chicamba Hydroelectric Power Station (44 megawatts), both located in Manica Province, were intended to supply electricity to the provinces of Manica and neighboring Sofala, supplemented with power obtained from the Cahora Bassa Dam.[2]

Due to their age; Mavuzi HPP was commissioned in 1957, and Chicamba HPP was established in 1968, many replacement parts are not available on the market anymore and maintenance was a challenge in the 21st century. For a period of 3.5 years, beginning in 2013 until February 2017, both stations underwent refurbishment and upgrades, with the contractor manufacturing new hardware to replace what could not purchased on the open market.[2]

Refurbishment and improvements

The refurbishment contract was awarded to a consortium comprising Rainpower, a Norwegian supplier of hydroelectricity generating hardware and Cegelec, a French engineering company. Other entities included Hydrokarst, a French company that socializes in underwater inspection and installations.[3]

Construction costs

The rehabilitation bill in 2017 for both and Mavuzi HPP and Chicamba HPP is quoted as US$120 million (€90 million at that time).[2] [3] The sources of funding are illustrated in the table below:[2]

Funding Sources for Mavuzi and Chicamba Hydroelectric Power Plants Rehabilitation! Rank !!Funder!!Amount in Euros!!US $ Equivalent!! Percentage!!Notes
1 30.00 million 40.0 million 33.3 Loan
2 15.8 million 21.2 million 17.6 Loan
3 44.2 million 58.8 million 49.1 Loan
All 90 million 120 million 100.00 Total

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Profile of Mavuzi Hydroelectric Power Plant Mozambique . 21 February 2015 . Global Energy Observatory . Rajan Gupta . 9 March 2021 . Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States.
  2. Web site: 28 February 2017 . Mavuzi and Chicamba power stations in Manica: US$120 million rehabilitation complete . Club of Mozambique . Club of Mozambique . 9 March 2021 . Maputo.
  3. Web site: Mavuzi and Chicamba hydroelectric power plants rehabilitation . Hydrokarst . November 2017 . Hyydrokarst . 9 March 2021 . Paris, France.