Mozambique: African Development Bank approves €125 million loan for hydroelectric power producer to modernize production system

The package comprises up to €100 million from the African Development Bank and up to €25 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, November 29, 2022

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a loan package not exceeding €125 million to Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) in Mozambique to support its Vital Capex program aimed at modernizing the company’s electricity production system.

HCB, the largest Independent Power Producer (IPP) in Southern Africa, provides hydroelectric power to Mozambique and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).  

The package comprises up to €100 million from the African Development Bank and up to €25 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund.

The modernization will extend the life of the plant by at least 25 years, enhance the reliability of energy delivery, reduce outages and enable the company to fulfil its contractual obligations to its off-takers and enhance regional integration of the electricity sector in SADC. It will also ensure the sustainability of energy security of the Community, particular South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The Vice President of the African Development Bank’s Power, Energy, Climate Change and Green Growth Complex, Kevin Kariuki, said: “We are delighted to support the Vital Capex program, given HCB’s central role in the Southern African Power Pool.  Additionally, HCB’s increased capacity, enhanced reliability, and ability to provide ancillary services will facilitate greater integration of variable renewable energy sources such as solar PV and wind in the wider region.”

Also commenting, the Bank’s Director for Energy Financial Solutions, Policy & Regulations, Wale Shonibare, said: “the Bank’s support to HCB is well aligned with its vision of integrating African electricity markets to promote the supply of affordable and reliable electricity to consumers in the region.”

The loan aligns with one of the Bank’s “High Fives” objectives to “Light Up and Power Africa” under its New Deal on Energy for Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact:
Amba Mpoke-Bigg
Communication and External Relations Department
Email: a.mpoke-bigg@afdb.org

Technical contacts:
Abel Brook
a.brook@afdb.org

Daniel Ndegwa
d.ndegwa@afbd.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 34 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 53 regional member states.

For more information: www.AfDB.org

SOURCE

African Development Bank Group (AfDB)