Mozambique: Four public consultation sessions for Cahora Bassa’s North Bank Power Station scheduled 17–24 March, from Tete province to Maputo city

The Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), Mozambique’s largest energy production unit, has taken a decisive step towards realising the more-than-a-decade-old North Power Station (CBN) project Located on the northern bank of the existing dam on the Zambezi River in Tete province, the new infrastructure will be discussed publicly this month, with consultation sessions aimed at updating its Environmental and Social Impact Study (ESIA). The new North Bank Power Station will have an installed capacity of 1,245 megawatts (MW) generated by three turbine groups. When combined with the 2,075 MW produced by the current facility, HCB’s total capacity will rise to 3,330 MW, significantly strengthening the country’s energy supply.

To advance the project, HCB has scheduled four public consultation sessions between 17 and 24 March, in Cahora Bassa district and Marávia district (both in Tete province), in Tete city, and finally in Maputo city. Although the original engineering project for the Cahora Bassa North Bank Power Station dates back to 2014, updating the environmental study is imperative due to the elapsed time and changes in Mozambican legislation. According to technical data, the structure of the works remains unchanged from the plan approved a decade ago.

HCB’s financing strategy foresees 60% of the investment covered by the company’s own funds, with the remaining 40% open to external partners. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028, and the project is expected to have a strong economic impact in the Tete region. READ: Mozambique: Cahora Bassa seeks partnership for Central Norte Mozambique: HCB seeks partners for its northern power plant and solar power plant During the construction phase, approximately 1,500 workers are expected to be hired, with this number reducing to 50 specialised technicians once the ‘Central Norte’ power plant is fully operational. This development is regarded as a strategic pillar to consolidate Mozambique as a regional energy hub in Southern Africa.