Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric Power Plant, Mozambique | 2,075 MW Facility

Cahora Bassa is a major hydroelectric power plant located on the Zambezi River in Mozambique. With a capacity of 2,075 MW, it is one of the largest hydroelectric facilities in Africa. The plant plays a crucial role in the regional power grid, supplying electricity to Mozambique and exporting to South Africa. The plant operates using hydroelectric technology, harnessing the flow of the Zambezi River. Its large capacity places it in the large-scale category for hydroelectric power generation. The facility is operational and has been a key infrastructure asset since its completion in the 1970s. Cahora Bassa significantly contributes to Mozambique's energy mix, providing clean, renewable energy. It supports regional energy security and economic development. The plant's environmental impact includes reservoir creation and associated ecosystem changes, but it avoids greenhouse gas emissions typical of fossil fuel plants.

As a hydroelectric plant, Cahora Bassa has a low carbon footprint but involves significant land use changes due to reservoir creation. The Zambezi River ecosystem is affected by altered flow regimes. The plant's large capacity means it displaces substantial fossil fuel generation, reducing regional CO2 emissions. Proximity to populated areas is limited, but the reservoir impacts local communities and wildlife habitats.