Boost for African hydro-dam construction plan

Brazilian construction group Camargo Correa aims to invest US$ 3.2 billion in a new hydroelectric dam at Mpanda Nkua on the Zambezi River, Mozambique's government has revealed.

Aiuba Quereneia, Mozambique's planning and development minister, told local media private engineering and construction firm Camargo Correa is seeking funds to build and possibly operate the dam in northern Mozambique's Tete province.

"We would want the building of the dam to begin at least by July next year as part of our strategy to secure Mozambique and the region's energy needs," he said, adding he expected a final contract to be signed shortly.

The new dam, scheduled for completion in 2013, is located 60 km away from Mozambique's major dam - the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric plant - and will have a production capacity of 1500 MW of electricity, about 1000 MW of which will be exported to South Africa.

Meanwhile, the Cahora Bassa produces 2075 MW of electricity and sells most of it to South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The government has invited foreign investors to build hydropower projects in 100 locations with a total estimated hydroelectric potential of up to 14000 MW.