The Mpatamanga Hydro Power Project (MHPP) is located on the Shire River, the largest river in Malawi and a tributary to the Zambezi River Mozambique, and situated in southern region of Malawi, within the Blantyre and the Neno Districts.
This development comprises of two cascading generating stations that are 6 km apart, which will have a combined installed capacity of 361 MW (i.e., 309MW and 52MW plants), complete with separate substations and two transmission lines. Water required for energy production, is conveyed from the upper reservoir through two tunnels (and accompanying underground surge chambers) to the main powerhouse. Water discharged from the main powerhouse flows downriver into the lower regulating powerhouse, where the generating station is positioned directly against the foot of dam, in a close-coupled configuration. Spillway and intake gates are positioned in the regulating dam.
Development shareholders comprise a consortium of EDF and Scatec (55% of total combined ownership) and are the Strategic Sponsors. This private group leads the development and implementation of the Project under a Public-Private Partnership, alongside the Government of Malawi (30%) and IFC (15%). MHPL is the special purpose vehicle created by the Strategic Sponsors, to implement this work, and operate the plant (for a predefined duration). MHPL is the Employer.
The source of funds come from the Government of Malawi and the Employer, and this amalgamation is in the process of arranging financing agreements with respectively, the International Development Association (IDA) from the World Bank Group and other key financing organisations.
This GPN is intended to introduce the MHPP to the wider, international hydropower community, and inform this community that the Employer will soon initiate an international competitive procurement process, which will comprise three split contracts, namely a civil package, electro-mechanical package, and transmission package.
A live online presentation (via YouTube at the following link https://youtube.com/live/t_l9fDL8M4I?feature=share for all interested firms and individuals will be held on 2023 November 20th, 2pm Malawi time. A recording of this presentation will also be available on YouTube immediately after the presentation.
This process will be open (to reiterate) to all eligible firms and individuals as defined in the Employer Initial Selection Documents. The Employer shall arrange the publication on its external website (www.mpatamangahydro.com) of the agreed initial procurement plan and all subsequent updates.
Specific Procurement Notices for contracts subject to open international competitive procurement will be announced, as they become available, commencing on 20th November 2023.