The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced the approval of a grant worth 33.25 million dollars to finance the construction of a 118-kilometre high-voltage electricity transmission line, strengthening the energy supply to Malawi and Zambia. The decision was announced on Tuesday by the Lusa news agency.
The project, approved by the AfDB’s board of directors, envisages the construction of a 400-kilovolt (kV) single-circuit high-voltage transmission line, stretching from Songo to Matambo, in Tete province. This initiative will play a crucial role in the future Cataxa substation, integrating it with the Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric power station. The structure will use self-supporting aerial towers made of steel mesh, with a horizontal conductor configuration and a power transmission capacity of 2,300 megawatts (MW), as reported by the AfDB.
César Mba Abogo, the ADB’s resident representative in Mozambique, pointed out that the project is part of a comprehensive effort to modernise the electricity grid. He pointed out that this modernisation will make it possible to install and sell additional production capacity, thus solidifying Mozambique’s position as a rising energy hub in the region.
“This project will improve the quality of supply in the central and northern regions, where the majority of the Mozambican population lives, making a significant contribution to the country’s development. It will also facilitate the implementation of priority regional interconnections, such as Mozambique-Malawi and Mozambique-Zambia,” said César Mba Abogo, as quoted in the information provided by the AfDB.
The investment totals 30.8 million euros and includes the expansion of the Songo substation, major works and the extension of the Matambo substation. The benefit of the project extends to the province of Tete, located in the Zambezi Valley Development Corridor, in the border area with Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, explained the AfDB.
The grant, which comes from the African group’s Transition Support Instrument, aims to increase the reliability and security of the electricity supply in Mozambique, while promoting the regional integration of the electricity grid and electricity trade, concluded the AfDB. ADB Finances 33 Million Dollars for High Voltage Connection in Mozambique to Strengthen Regional Supply.
