The governments of Malawi and Mozambique have retained international consultancy Mott MacDonald to conduct feasibility and environmental-impact assessment studies on the construction of a power interconnector linking the electricity grids of the two countries.

Malawi deputy director for Energy Affairs David Kalowekamo says the studies are necessary owing to a change in the scope of the project.

Initially, the interconnector was to be constructed from Matambo, in Mozambique, to Phombeya, in Malawi, but will now run from Phombeya to Nacala, in Mozambique, cutting through southern Malawi.

“Once the line is constructed, Malawi will charge Mozambique a power transfer fee for channelling the electricity through its territory,” says Kalowekamo.

Feasibility Study

The feasibility study will determine the revised cost of the project, which was originally estimated at $93-million.

Kalowekamo says, once the results of the study are out, representatives of the two countries will meet to determine the modalities of a power sharing agreement.

He reports that construction of the interconnector will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase comprising the stretch from Matambo to Phombeya and the second from Phombeya to Nacala.

The Malawi–Mozambique power interconnector project, which will be financed by international financial institutions led by the World Bank’s International Development Association, falls under the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP).

The SAPP coordinates power sharing by member countries of the Southern African Development Community.

Malawi is upgrading its power transmission infrastructure to ensure that it has adequate capacity to export electricity. It is also developing several generation projects to ensure that it has excess power to export to its neighbours.

Malawi has an installed generation capacity of 351 MW. Its peak demand of 350 MW is expected to grow as mining projects currently under way come on stream.

The country is also mulling interconnector projects with Zambia and Tanzania.