Infrastructure:

Mpatamanga Hydro Power Plant (MHPP) Project is being developed by Mpatamanga Hydro Power Limited (MHPL) in coordination with the GoM, Ministry of Energy (MoE), Ministry of Finance (MoF), and other relevant GoM departments. The project is located in the Southern Region of Malawi, within the Blantyre and the Neno Districts. The project will harness the power of the Shire River, the largest river in Malawi, lying between the existing Tedzani and Kapichira hydropower schemes. The main dam (50 m high) on the Shire River will create a 19 km² main reservoir at full supply level, with a total storage volume of 261 million m3 (out of which 59 million m3 of active volume – used in electricity generation). Water from the main reservoir will drop by approximately 66 m through underground 2x 900m long tunnels to a 309 MW powerhouse located 1 km downstream of the main dam. The water discharged from the main powerhouse into the Shire River (installed capacity of 550 m3/s) will then flow into a 1km² (total 11 million m3 / 8 million m3 of active volume) regulating reservoir created by a 35 m high regulating dam located 6 km downstream of the powerhouse on the Shire River. Water from the regulating reservoir will then be discharged into the Shire River through a 52 MW powerhouse located at the foot of the dam (installed capacity of 360 m3/s). From the upper part of the main reservoir (close to Tedzani hydropower plant) to the regulating dam, the project footprint will extend over 29 km of river length.

Energy Generation:

MHPP  will have a generation capacity of 361 MW , composed of the two plants – the 309 MW peaking plant at the main dam and the 52 MW regulating downstream plant at the regulating dam. The project is aimed to contribute to reducing energy shortages and enhancing energy security in Malawi. The 309 MW plant with its main reservoir storage is designed to provide much needed energy during peak demand hours of the day and contribute to the overall national grid stability with its ability to ramp up or down production to meet actual demand.

Transmission:

The electricity generated by the project will be delivered to the grid through two transmission lines: a 64km long 400 kV transmission line from the main powerhouse to the existing Phombeya sub-station; and an 11.4km long 132 kV transmission line that will connect the regulation dam powerhouse to the existing Tedzani-Kapichira Transmission Line.

Construction Schedule:

Technical studies are currently underway to inform the final engineering design of the Mpatamanga Hydro Power Plant and prepare the tender documentation.  

First Works (with the Construction of access roads) are planned to be undertaken from 2025. A four-year construction schedule has been estimated for the project. The power stations’commissioning should take place in January 2030.