The consortium of EDF (40%) TotalEnergies (30%) and Sumitomo Corporation (30%) is pleased to announce that it has been selected as strategic partner by the Government of Mozambique. The public and private sponsors entered together into a joint development agreement for the development of the Mphanda Nkuwa hydropower project (MNK).

Located on the Zambezi River, 60 kilometers downstream from Cahora Bassa and 60 kilometers from Tete City, MNK is currently foreseen as a 1,500 MW run-of-river hydropower project.

EDF, who is acting as Lead Member of the consortium, brings extensive hydropower experience, including in sub-Saharan Africa. The Consortium will jointly develop MNK with the Gabinete de Implementação do Projecto Hidroeléctrico de Mphanda Nkuwa (GMNK), Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) and Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB). EDM and HCB will own 30% of the project while the consortium will own 70% of it.

The consortium, EDM and HCB, also entered into a framework agreement with the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy (MIREME), paving the way for the future concession agreement.

The MNK project would increase Mozambique’s available electricity production capacity by more than 50% and could power more than 3 million households in Mozambique and the surrounding region, helping to promote economic and social growth in Southern Africa. It would also make a significant contribution to the region’s energy transition by providing reliable, competitive, renewable electricity.

“We are looking forward to contributing to Mphanda Nkuwa project which is a great opportunity to bring our technical expertise in hydropower and our strong environmental and social commitment in favor of local communities and biodiversity. This project will significantly enhance the access to electricity in the region and is fully in line with EDF’s ambition to build a net zero energy future with electricity and innovative solutions that drive economic development.” said Béatrice Buffon EDF Group Senior Executive Vice-President, International Division.

“TotalEnergies is delighted to be able to expand its presence in Mozambique beyond the Mozambique LNG project with a large investment in renewable energy, which will benefit to the people of Mozambique. It is a new example of TotalEnergies’s ability to implement its multi-energy strategy in oil & gas countries to support them in their energy transition”, said Mike Sangster, SVP Africa and Vincent Stoquart, SVP Renewables at TotalEnergies.

“We are pleased to get involved the Mphanda Nkuwa Hydropower Project. This project will contribute to the increase of access to the electricity around the regions as well as becoming green energy hub in southern African countries. Sumitomo Corporation focuses on achieving carbon neutrality in 2050. In order to achieve the target and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, Sumitomo Corporation will further endeavor to be part of renewable energy projects.” said Koichi Taniguchi, Corporate Officer, General Manager, Global Power Infrastructure Business Division.