Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) has guarantees of electricity production until the last quarter of 2025, thanks to the recovery of water levels in the reservoir. After reaching, in January, one of the lowest levels in recent times, 19.18 per cent, storage rose to 24.18 per cent, boosted by this season's rains.
The information was given by the chairman of HCB's Board of Directors, Tomás Matola, at the launch of the “Journalism Prize marking 50 years of HCB” in Maputo. The official was optimistic, stressing that weather forecasts point to more rainfall, especially upstream, which should further strengthen reservoir levels.
“Little by little, we are emerging from a critical scenario, which forced us to revise the operating plan and to reduce electricity exports since July last year. With the February rains, we managed to recover, and the data point to a positive trend,” Matola explained.
The increase in Zambezi flows, fed by tributaries such as the Luangwa river, coming from Zambia, strengthens the dam's capacity to meet energy demand, both domestically and in Southern Africa.
“Even if the water inflows do not increase significantly, there is no cause for alarm. Domestic production is assured without restrictions until the end of the year. We may export less and lose external revenue, but supply to Mozambicans will not be compromised,” the HCB chairman assured.
Besides Mozambique, Cahora Bassa supplies electricity to South Africa and Zimbabwe. A new transmission line to Malawi is also under construction, strengthening energy integration in the region.
