Nyika Hydropower Group Limited (NHG) announced the signing of the Transmission Connection Agreement (TCA) with the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) for the 51 MW North Rumphi Hydropower Cascade Project – a flagship among utility-scale run-of-river hydropower projects in Africa.
The TCA follows the 25-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) signed on 28 May 2025 and formalises the Project’s integration into Malawi’s national grid, representing another critical milestone toward financial close and construction. The Project comprises three run-of-river schemes along the North Rumphi River (Denbo River) in Rumphi District, Northern Malawi: namely Phoka (13 MW), Munonono (18 MW) and Chiweta (20 MW).
With gross heads of some 225m for each scheme, the three schemes form a hydraulically contiguous cascade with a cumulative gross head of 675m – the highest of any documented run-of-river cascade in Africa.
Together, the schemes are expected to generate an average output of 276,000 MWh annually, supply electricity to 2.7 million people and add 9.2% to Malawi’s installed generation capacity.
This consistent energy output is supported by the Nyika Plateau catchment, which receives up to 1,700 mm of annual rainfall. Its extensive dambo wetlands and grasslands retain and gradually release water, sustaining river flows throughout the dry season.
Under the agreed connection plan, Phoka will initially connect at 66 kV through a 1 km loopin/loop-out connection to ESCOM’s Livingstonia–Bwengu line. For the full cascade, a 4.5 km double-circuit line will link Chiweta to Munonono at 33 kV, followed by an 8.5 km double-circuit connection from Munonono to the planned Haniniya Substation. Phoka’s 66 kV connection will remain in place and interface with Haniniya’s 66 kV bus. At Haniniya, the combined output will be stepped up to 132 kV and evacuated via a new 54 km single-circuit line to New Bwengu Substation. This phased arrangement supports early power delivery and full-cascade evacuation.
The connection will strengthen Northern Malawi’s transmission network by improving reliability, voltage stability and capacity. It will complement the planned Eastern Backbone upgrades and the proposed Tanzania–Malawi Interconnector linking Malawi to the Eastern Africa Power Pool, broadening its access to regional electricity markets beyond the Southern African Power Pool. It will help unlock major mining developments for critical minerals – including those at Kayelekera, Kanyika, Songwe Hill and Kangankunde – creating local jobs and business opportunities. It will also attract investment, strengthen exports and public revenues and support Malawi’s broader economic diversification.
The TCA provides a clear pathway for North Rumphi’s power to reach Malawi’s national grid. By strengthening the Northern transmission network, the Project will support growing industrial demand, improve system reliability and deliver more renewable electricity to businesses and communities.
NHG Shareholders
With the PPAs and TCA now in place, NHG has achieved key commercial and grid connection milestones and will now focus on completing the remaining project agreements, detailed engineering and financing activities required to reach financial close.