|
Lusa - Business News - Mozambique: EdF chosen as preferred bidder for huge hydro project

Maputo, May.26,2023(Lusa) - Mozambique's ministry of mineral resources and energy announced on Friday a consortium led by Electricity of France and including Total was the "preferred bidder" for the $4.5 billion Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric project.
"Should we successfully conclude the implementation agreement, the partner will have the responsibility of raising the tender guarantee from US$10 million (€9 million) to US$15 million (€13 million) [...] The strategic partner will have to secure US$40 million (€37 million) of development cost and between US$500 million (€465 million) and US$700 million (€651 million) of equity for construction," Carlos Yum, the project director, said during a press conference in Maputo.
The infrastructure, which will include the development of a dam and a power transmission line between Tete and Maputo, is budgeted to cost about US$4.5 billion (€4.1 billion), with the capacity to produce 1,500 megawatts, making Mphanda Nkuwa the second largest hydroelectric dam in the country, after Hidroelétrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), which generates 2,070 megawatts.
A total of seven entities, including a subsidiary of Portugal's Mota-Engil, were assessed by technicians from a committee made up of staff from the ministries of Mineral Resources and Energy, Economy and Finance, Land and Environment and Labour, as well as the Bank of Mozambique, HCB and Electricity of Mozambique.
"The selection process was based on criteria of technical capacity, financial robustness and proven experience in similar projects that also adopt climate change mitigation measures," Carlos Yum added.
EDM and Hidroelétrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), as representatives of Mozambique, are guaranteed a 30% stake in the project.
The remaining 70% will belong to the consortium led by Eletricidade de França.
In addition to the "preferred bidder," the Mozambican government has indicated another consortium led by ETC Holdings, and which includes a subsidiary of Mota-Engil, as a "reserve bidder".
With Mphanda Nkuwa and HCB added to other fully functioning power generation ventures, Mozambique hopes to achieve the goal of universal energy access and respond to the growing energy deficit plaguing southern Africa.
"The project will be the lowest cost option for power generation. It will position Mozambique as a regional energy hub," the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy stressed.
EYAC/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
Agency : LUSA Date : 2023-05-27 03:48:00
|