Austrian engineering firm Andritz has secured a significant contract from Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) to modernise Mozambique’s largest hydropower facility, the 2,075-megawatt (MW) Cahora Bassa plant on the Zambezi River.
The agreement, part of the REABSUL 2 rehabilitation programme, was signed in Johannesburg and booked in Andritz’s fourth-quarter 2024 order intake. The contract is valued in the mid-three-digit million-euro range.
“This project underlines our commitment to supporting Mozambique’s hydropower market and ensuring long-term renewable energy supply in the region,” Andritz said in a statement.
Under the terms of the contract, Andritz will deliver five new 480 MVA generators and Francis turbine runners, along with upgraded control and protection systems. The scope also includes the design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, testing, and commissioning of the high-efficiency equipment.
Once completed, the modernisation is expected to increase each turbine’s capacity by over 4%, boosting output to approximately 433MW per unit. The upgrade aims to strengthen Cahora Bassa’s role as a critical power provider for Mozambique and neighbouring countries.
The initial three years of the project will focus on equipment design, manufacturing, and infrastructure upgrades at the site. Turbine replacements will follow in a phased approach to maintain continuous plant operation, requiring coordination with HCB’s concurrent refurbishment of the nearby Songo Converter Substation.
The Cahora Bassa hydropower plant is one of the largest in Africa and a cornerstone of Mozambique’s energy infrastructure.
