Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), Mozambique’s leading hydropower generation company has awarded ANDRITZ Cahora Bassa Hydropower Plant Rehabilitation Contract.
Cahora Bassa is the largest hydropower plant in Mozambique. Also, it stands out as one of the largest in Africa. The order value for ANDRITZ is in the mid three-digit million-euro range. It was included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Also read: Mozambique signs $5 billion deal for Construction of Mphanda Nkuwa hydropower project.
Project Factsheet
Project name: REABSUL II
Location: Songo village, Tete province, Mozambique, on the Zambezi River
Contractor: ANDRITZ
Key features the rehabilitation project (REABSUL II):
- Replacement of generators and turbines: ANDRITZ, an Austrian technology company, has been awarded a major contract to supply:
- Five new state-of-the-art 480 MVA generators.
- Five new Francis turbine runners.
- Modernization of control systems: New control and protection systems will be installed.
- Hydromechanical structures: Rehabilitation of existing hydromechanical structures.
- Songo Converter Substation: Rehabilitation of the Songo Converter Substation will be carried out by HCB in parallel, as it is considered a weak link in the power transmission chain.
Commissioning Date and Capacity of the Cahora Bassa Hydropower Plant
This hydropower plant project was commissioned in 1975. It has a capacity of 2,075 MW plant and is located on the Zambezi River.
Furthermore, the hydropower plant supplies over half of Mozambique’s electricity. Also, it gets to export significant amounts to neighbouring countries. Other than being an energy asset, Cahora Bassa is a crucial factor in Mozambique’s economic and social development.
HCB’s rehabilitation project which is also referred to as REABSUL II. The rehabilitation project is expected to enhance the overall efficiency, reliability, availability, and maintainability of the plant. Additionally, the capacity of the turbines will be increased by over 4% to 433 MW per unit.
What will ANDRITZ Do During the Rehabilitation Project?
ANDRITZ will be supplying five new state-of-the-art 480 MVA generators. Additionally, they will supply five new Francis turbine runners and control and protection systems. They will also deliver hydromechanical structures on the project.
Cahora Bassa Hydropower Plant Rehabilitation Contract Scope
The scope of the rehabilitation contract entails the design, engineering, manufacturing, and supply of the high-efficiency equipment. Also, it will entail the installation, testing, and commissioning at the project site.
Also read: The Mega US$4.5 Billion Batoka Hydro-power Project Commencement Set for 2025
After three years of preparation work, during which the new equipment of the hydropower plant will be designed and manufactured and the site infrastructure prepared, Cahora Bassa’s generating units will be replaced one by one, while ensuring the stable and constant operation of the other units. This is deemed to be a major challenge, especially for the rehabilitation of the common systems. Additionally, it will call for thorough coordination with the rehabilitation of the Songo Converter Substation, which HCB will carry out in parallel.
