In Mozambique, output from the Cahora Bassa hydropower dam was reduced as water level in its reservoir came down. The reduction which will be effective until December 2016, will decrease power produced by the plant’s five generators from 415 MW to 365 MW each thus bringing its total capacity to 1,825 MW.

According to the firm operating the plant, this measure will help keep the lake’s waters at a reasonable level, for socio-economic and ecologic reasons. It also hopes that the reservoir will be filled more rapidly next year.

Owned at 85% by the government of Mozambique and 15% by Portugal, the Cahora dam over the past year produced 16,078 GWh, a record since it was established. 60% of the plant’s output, about 1,100 MW, is sold to Eskom, South Africa’s power utility.

Gwladys Johnson