Malawi is set to receive US $350M grant approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors to support the development of Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project.
The Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project, a large-scale energy initiative designed to strengthen the country’s renewable energy capacity. With a planned generation capacity of 358.5MW, the project is expected to supply over 1,500GW-hours of electricity annually, reaching more than one million households once operational.
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Scope of work
The project is structured as a public-private partnership (PPP) and was co-developed with the IFC, part of the World Bank Group. A competitive international bidding process in 2022 led to the selection of a development consortium that includes Électricité de France (EDF) and SN Malawi BV. The latter is backed by British International Investment, Norfund, and TotalEnergies.
MHSP involves the construction of two hydropower dams in series along the Shire River, positioned between existing hydroelectric stations. The design will utilize the river’s flow and elevation changes to generate electricity efficiently. The project’s commercial operation date is planned for 2030.
This project plays a central role in Malawi’s efforts to expand renewable energy access and modernize its power sector. It is expected to: improve electricity supply reliability, drive industrial and economic growth, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and strengthen regional power connections, particularly with Mozambique.
MHSP complements other energy initiatives backed by the World Bank, such as the Mozambique–Malawi Regional Interconnector Project and the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) program.