- Completion of the long-awaited Mozambique–Malawi electricity interconnection project has been pushed back once again, this time due to a shortage of specialised equipment required to erect two record-breaking transmission towers across the Zambezi River.
- The contract was awarded to Larson & Toubro (L&T) in April 2022 who is responsible for construction of the line inside Mozambique territory. Read more
The towers—measuring 197 and 200 metres—will be the tallest electrical structures on the African continent. Positioned roughly 1.8 kilometres from each bank of the river in Tete province, they are critical components of the 218-kilometre line linking Matambo in Mozambique to Phombeya in Malawi.
Environmental regulations prompted engineers to examine more than a century of climatic data for the region, confirming Tete’s vulnerability to extreme weather. The review led to the adoption of a more climate-resilient tower design, adding complexity to the construction process. According to Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) project manager João Catine, lifting and securing the massive structures has proved technically demanding, especially without the necessary specialised equipment.
During a site visit on Thursday, Mozambique’s High Commissioner to Malawi, Alexandre Manjate, and the Secretary of State for Tete province, Cristina Mafumo, received assurances from Catine that despite the latest setback, the project is expected to be completed by the end of December or, at the latest, early January. Manjate welcomed the update, noting the strategic importance of the interconnector.
Once operational, the power link is expected to significantly reduce Malawi’s electricity deficit. The country’s generation company, Egenco, currently produces only 367 megawatts—far short of the national demand of around 719 megawatts. With just 11% of Malawians having access to electricity, officials hope the new interconnection will provide a crucial boost to energy availability.
Mozambique is set to export 50MW of power to Malawi once the line has been commissioned. Read more
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
