Environmental and Social

The Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project (MHSP) is being developed by EDF and SN Malawi BV (owned by TotalEnergies, BII and Norfund), through the project company Mpatamanga Hydro Power Limited (MHPL), and in coordination with the Government of Malawi and International Finance Corporation (IFC), with a strong support from the World Bank. 

The Project is located in the Southern Region of Malawi, within the Blantyre and the Neno Districts. It will harness the power of the Shire River, the largest river in Malawi, lying between the existing Tedzani and Kapichira hydropower schemes. The Project is composed of two dams, two powerhouses, two substations and two transmissions lines. 

The main dam (55m high) on the Shire River will create a 20.2km² main reservoir at full supply level, with a total storage volume of 272.5 million m3. Water from the main reservoir will drop by approximately 66m through underground two 900m long tunnels to a 300MW powerhouse located 1km downstream of the main dam. The water discharged from the main powerhouse into the Shire River (installed capacity of 550m3/s) will then flow into a 1km² regulating reservoir created by a 35m high regulating dam located 6km downstream. Water from the regulating reservoir will then be discharged into the Shire River through a 56 MW powerhouse located at the foot of the dam.

Environmental and Social Framework 

The Project will be developed in compliance with all applicable national regulatory requirements and international lender standards. 

National Requirements 

The applicable Environmental and Social (E&S) reference framework includes, but is not limited to: 

Malawian laws, regulations, and policies relating to:

  • Land acquisition and resettlement
  • Labour and working conditions
  • Pollution prevention and control
  • Public health and safety
  • Biodiversity protection and conservation
  • Environmental protection

Relevant international treaties, declarations, and conventions ratified by Malawi, including:

  • United Nations (UN) Declarations
  • UNESCO Conventions
  • International Labour Organization (ILO) Core Conventions and other ratified ILO Conventions

International Financing Institution (IFI) Standards 

The Project aligns with: 

  • International Finance Corporation Performance Standards (2012)
  • World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (2018)
  • Equator Principles Association Equator Principles 4 (EP4) (July 2020)
  • World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
  • UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011)

Where discrepancies occur within the reference framework, MHPL will apply the more stringent requirement.

Environmental and Social Instruments 

MHPL commissioned a series of studies to assess potential environmental and social impacts and to identify appropriate mitigation measures. The following instruments have been developed: 

Two versions of the ESIA and ESMMP have been prepared: 

  1. One aligned with the requirements of the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA).
  2. One aligned with international lender requirements.

Resettlement and Livelihood Restoration 

MHPL is implementing a phased approach to the Resettlement and Livelihood Restoration Action Plan (RLRAP), guided by the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF). The following RLRAPs have been developed: 

Cumulative Impact Assessment 

The Shire River Basin-wide Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) relevant to MHPL has been completed and is publicly available here. 

IEC MATERIALS 

Quarterly project newsletters available here