Overview

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

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, two transmissions lines and the construction of 3 resettlement village houses in Chaswanthaka, Kambalame and Mpindo.

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 300 MW 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.

Shared responsibility: Health, safety, and sustainability

The Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project strictly adheres to international and national standards, especially through its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and HSSE Policy.

In 2025, the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) reviewed and approved the ESIA for the Project.

Key commitments include implementing a phased Resettlement and Livelihood Restoration Action Plan, enforcing a robust Biodiversity Action Plan to protect the Shire River basin, and executing strict emergency preparedness protocols.

Active stakeholder engagement and a transparent Grievance Redress Mechanism ensure continuous community protection, health, and occupational safety throughout the project lifecycle.

Energy Generation

The Project will have a contracted capacity of 356 MW, composed of the two plants – the 300 MW peaking plant at the main dam and the 56 MW regulating downstream plant at the regulating dam.

The Project is aimed to contribute to reducing energy shortages and enhancing energy security in Malawi, especially during peaking hours. Indeed, the 300 MW peaking plant with its main reservoir storage is designed to provide much needed energy during peak demand hours of the day and contribute to the overall national grid stability with its ability to ramp up or down production to meet actual demand.

Transmission

The electricity generated by the project will be delivered to the grid through two transmission lines: a 64km long 400 kV transmission line from the main powerhouse to the existing Phombeya sub-station; and an 11.4km long 132 kV transmission line that will connect the regulation dam powerhouse to the existing Tedzani-Kapichira Transmission Line.

The Transmission lines will be developed and constructed by MHPL and handed over to ESCOM at the commissioning date of the power stations.

Infrastructure

The S137 access road from Blantyre to the Project will be upgraded before the beginning of the main work.

During the construction period the workforce will be accommodated in dedicated construction camps in close vicinity to the construction areas.

For the operations phase, a permanent operators’ village will be built close to the site, to accommodate the MHPL operators. A new 6km long service road will also be built by MHPL from the main powerhouse to the regulating dam.

Main Works Construction Schedule

The construction is expected to start in 2027. Construction is expected to last 54 months.

Resettlement Villages Construction activity

The Mpatamanga Project is implementing a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) through various phases, in close coordination with local stakeholders, Project developers, the World Bank, future Project Lenders, and in compliance with the highest international and national standards. Within this framework, three villages will be built by the Government of Malawi in Chaswanthaka, Mpindo, and Kamabalame. Construction started in 2026 for Chaswanthaka and Mpindo, comprising 48 houses, a school, and infrastructure such as access roads and boreholes. MHPL serves as the Owner’s Engineer for the Government of Malawi for these construction activities. ACH Limited is the local Malawian company that was awarded the contract following a local consultation process. These construction activities are funded by the World Bank through a grant to the Government of Malawi.