Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB)
Maputo, 26 Jan (AIM) – Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), the company that operates the Cahora Bassa dam, on the Zambezi river in the central Mozambican province of Tete, has denied that there is any danger that it will stop generating power because of a shortage of water in the reservoir behind the dam.
The independent newheet “Carta de Mocambique” says it received (from what were described as “senior sources” within the company) allegations that the useful water storage capacity in the reservoir was less than five per cent. Should drought in the region (caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon) worsen, HCB might be forced to halt the generation of electricity.
When “Carta de Mocambique” submitted this concern to the HCB management, it received a press note guaranteeing that the current level of water in the reservoir is over 21 per cent.
“At the end of the first period of the 2024-2025 rainy season, the height of the reservoir was 305.2 metres above average sea level which is equivalent to 21.19 per cent of useful water storage”, HCB said. “The seasonal climate forecast of SARCOF – 29 (Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum – 29), suggests the possibility of the occurrence of the La Niña phenomenon, by the end of the 2024/2025 rainy season, particularly in the second half (January/February/March) with a high probability of normal rainfall in this region, notably in the Zambezi Basin”.
There were also claims that HCB had discharged water from the reservoir unnecessarily between September and December. The management categorically denied this allegation. Indeed, there had been no discharges at all in 2024.
HCB added that, by the end of 2025, it expects “to recover the level of water storage that will allow the generation of electricity with the potential to satisfy the needs of the country and of the region this year and in subsequent years”.
The HCB note added that, in 2024, “it achieved total production of 15,753.52 GWh”, in an adverse hydro-climatic context, characterised by a severe drought imposed by the occurrence of the El Niño weather phenomenon”.
Citing the chairperson of the HCB Board, Tomas Matola, the note said the company estimates that this year it will pay into the coffers of the state 292 million US dollars, in fees and taxes, as a result of its performance in the 2024 economic year, with a forecast record profit of 225 million dollars.
For Matola, this performance shows “the structuring and strategic role of Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa in the development of the country and in improving the living condition of Mozambicans”.
(AIM)
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