[DEBATE] : (Fwd) Chinese to fund next Zambezi R. dam

[Patrick Bond]

(The Chinese record at Three Gorges - probably the single most severe attack ever by humans on the environment - suggests nothing will stand in the way of the rising water, especially not unfortunate riverside residents. And SA mining houses and smelters will chow the power.)


http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/news.php?ID=4061


Mozambican government approves construction of 
new dam on Zambezi river   [ 2007-09-17 ]


Maputo, Mozambique, 17 Sept - The Mozambican 
government has approved the construction of the 
Mphanda Nkuwa dam in the Zambezi valley, central 
Mozambique, Portuguese news agency Lusa reported 
Friday.

The mega dam, which is expected to cost US$2 
billion, will have a power production capacity of 
1,350 megawatts (the Cahora Bassa dam, along the 
same river has a capacity of 2,075 megawatts) and 
is likely to be financed by the Export-Import 
Bank of China (Eximbank).

Brazilian construction group Camargo Corrêa and 
its Mozambican partner group Insitec are due to 
present the outline for the construction project 
to the Mozambican government on September 27.

Last Wednesday the boards of both groups had an 
audience with Mozambican president, Armando 
Guebuza, during his visit to Brazil.

After analyzing the project, the Mozambican 
government is expected to move ahead with looking 
for financing to build the dam.

The Mphanda Nkuwa dam is intended to supply 
surplus power to other countries in the Southern 
Africa Development Community (SADC).

With 39 rivers flowing into the Indian Ocean, 
Mozambique has one of the highest electricity 
generation potentials in Southern Africa, 
estimated at up to 12,000 megawatts of 
electricity (the country consumes just 350 
megawatts).

Mozambique has just 12 medium-sized and large 
dams, which are not enough to meet its increasing 
needs and to minimize the effects of the droughts 
and flooding to which the country is susceptible.

Eximbank is also financing the construction of 
the Moamba dam, in the Incomati river, some 80 
kilometers south of Maputo. (macauhub)