Hope for 358mw power project
Ministry of Energy says the Mpatamanga Hydro Power Project (MHPP) remains viable because its environmental and social impact assessment (Esia) provides mitigation plans to reduce the effects of the project on the environment.
A joint statement by Mpatamanga Hydro Power Limited (MHPL) and the Malawi Government says the two stakeholders are optimistic on the 358.5 megawatts (MW) power plant on a build, own, operate and transfer (Boot) basis under a public private partnership (PPP) framework.
Among others, the Esia report indicates that the power station could have some impact in all the three phases of early works, construction and operations that include soil erosion, community health and safety and climate change and cultural heritage.
Reads part of the report: “The Esia identified a considerable number of potential impacts, including potential increase in noise, dust, vibration and emissions, soil erosion, waste generation, project induced in-migration, occupational health and safety and public safety impacts, water pollution, biodiversity impacts loss of land and access to land and cultural heritage impacts.”
Meanwhile, according to the joint statement which highlighted the mitigation plans to reduce or prevent, September 27 is the deadline for receiving feedback from the public on Esia report.
Reads the report: “As part of the environmental and social impact assessment process, an environmental and social management and monitoring plan has been prepared and will be implemented by the project.
“The plan summarises the proposed mitigation measures for the identified environmental and social risks and impacts including the nature of the anticipated impacts, timeframe, budget, and the roles and responsibilities of those that will be involved in addressing them.”
In an interview on Tuesday, project coordinator in the Ministry of Energy Khumbo Lungu said in the ministry’s view, the project remains viable because it has mitigation plans on the potential impacts highlighted in the report.
He said: “As of now we are still at the development stage. Some of the potential impacts like soil erosion could either happen or not happen, but even if they happen, it would take 15 to 20 years for the risks to happen.
“As of now, we will wait for feedback from the public and other stakeholders and if the report is adopted, we will submit it to the World Bank which is the financier and is also expected to make its own assessment.”
In a separate interview, Natural Resources and Climate Change Committee of Parliament chairperson Werani Chilenga said the release of the report is welcome as it has taken long to be finalised, thereby delaying the sector’s growth.
“This is good news considering that the Mpatamanga project will generate over 350MW of power which is critical at a time electricity demand is expected to increase following the signing of mining development agreements of the government and two companies; Lotus and Mkango resources,” he said.
Meanwhile, Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy executive director Herbert Mwalukomo said he needed more time to read the report, but an environmental journalist Matthews Malata said such a thorough study is required for big projects such as electricity generation.
“Conducting thorough Esia’s like this one is essential for large-scale projects, as they help identify and mitigate potential risks,” he said.
The proposed Mpatamanga Project is being developed by MHPL in collaboration with the government of Malawi and the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) within a PPP framework.
The project in the Southern Region is located between Tedzani and Kapichira Hydropower plants on the Shire Reiver.
Malawi’s total installed power capacity is about 398.39MW, according to Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi.
