The rural electrification project in the northern part of Inhambane, which includes the Chibabava/Vilankulo transmission line and three substations, is progressing at a satisfactory pace despite the difficulties imposed by the rains.
So far, about 610 of the 674 towers of the power transmission line have been installed. The line starts from Casa Nova in Chibabava, Sofala, and extends 240 kilometers to Vilankulo, Inhambane.
The launching of the conductors, which began in September last year, has already been concluded over a 100-kilometer section, according to Emílio Joaquim, delegate of Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) and coordinator of the project.
In relation to the three substations, Joaquim said that the ironwork is being assembled and the reinforced concrete structures, control rooms and other buildings have been completed.
The first substation will be established in Casa Nova in Sofala, the second in Temane, Inhassoro, the third and largest of all with 40 Mega Volts Ampere (MVA), and the third in the city of Vilankulo, both in Inhambane province.
The project also includes medium and low voltage power distribution networks in the five districts to be served, namely Vilankulo, Inhassoro, Mabote, Govuro, in Inhambane province, and Machanga, in Sofala province.
In this component, close to 180 km of medium voltage and 90 km of low voltage lines are planned, in addition to the installation of 79 transformer stations, which will allow for the connection of 7500 families and production units.
The works are estimated to cost 35 million dollars (2.6 billion meticais), disbursed by Sweden, one of the main financiers of the energy sector in the country. EDM currently has about 16,000 customers in the five districts.
With the exception of Vilankulo and Mabote, which have also received power from the national grid from Massinga since late last year, the area is dependent on an isolated
system connected to the Temane natural gas thermal power plant.
The unit generates 12 megawatts of energy, insufficient for the expansion of the network and the connection of more consumers, which is expected to be overcome as of August when the project now under works.
