Name and Location
Cesul transmission line project, Mozambique.

Project Description
Mozambique’s integrated transmission backbone system, known as Cesul, involves the construction of a 1 400-km-long, high-voltage transmission line aimed at linking the cities of Tete, in the country’s central region, and Maputo, in the south.

The project plans to develop two dc lines, one at 800 kV, and an ac line at 400 kV. The total proposed capacity of both lines will be 3 100 MW during normal operation.

The project also proposes to expand some existing substations in Maputo and Matambo, construct up to five substations and access roads along the route of the lines, as well as upgrade the existing roads to support the construction and subsequent maintenance and operation of the overhead lines.

In addition to power distribution in Mozambique, the developers envisage exporting power to South Africa.

The transmission line will also be linked with the development of two large hydropower generation projects in the same province, the 1 250-MW Cahora Bassa North project and the 1 500-MW Mphanda Nkuwa project.

Value
The Cesul project will be financed on a project-finance basis. The total project costs are estimated at $2,4-billion.

Duration
The feasibility studies will be completed by the end of February 2011, with full operations scheduled to begin in 2016.

Client
Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM).

Key Contracts and Suppliers
European Investment Bank (EIB) (technical and economic feasibility finance).

Latest Developments
UK-based Mott MacDonald has been appointed to carry out an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) study for the Cesul transmission line project. The company will also be responsible for the production of a resettlement policy framework to support economic and physical resettlement requirements. Some of the potential impacts that will be considered in the ESIA include temporary and permanent land and habitat loss, landscape and visual impact, as well as operational noise.

The team will also develop an environmental, social management and monitoring plan to strengthen ongoing implementation of these aspects through the construction and operation phases.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
EDM project manager João Catine, tel +258 21 353 632, fax +258 21 322 074 or email jcatine@edm.co.mz.
EIB press office, tel +352 43 79 21000, fax +352 43 79 61000 or email press@eib.org.
Eletrobras, tel +55 21 251 45151 or email invest@eletrobras.com.br.
Mott MacDonald, Christina de Burgh-Milne, tel +44 20 8774 4639 or email christina.deburgh-milnemottmac.com; or Moya Galal, tel +44 20 8774 2000 or email moya.galal@mottmac.com.
REN, tel +351 21 001 3500 or fax +351 21 001 3310.