Malawi To Import Power From Mozambique Soon As Interconnector Project Nears Completion

Malawi is on the verge of importing electricity from Mozambique, with the Mozambique–Malawi Power Interconnector Project approaching completion, officials from the Malawi Mission in Mozambique announced.

Malawi’s High Commissioner to Mozambique, Wezi Moyo, confirmed this when she inspected progress of work at the ongoing Matambo substation.

The project includes the construction of a 400 kV substation at Matambo in Mozambique’s Tete Province, a 220 kV transmission line linking to an existing substation, and a 142‑kilometre, 400 kV transmission line connecting the Matambo substation to Malawi’s Phombeya substation.

She expressed satisfaction at the progress of work, noting that system checks, testing and energisation of equipment are currently underway.

Touching on the transmission line, she said 326 of the 337 towers along a 126‑kilometre stretch had been erected, leaving just 11 to be completed, while stringing is being finalised on the remaining 15 kilometres.

According to her, the most significant outstanding work is at the Zambezi River crossing, where two giant towers are being constructed to support the power line.

These structures are set to become the tallest transmission towers in Africa.

“One tower will reach 196 metres, with 126 metres completed so far, while the second will stand at 200 metres, with 32 metres built to date,” she said.

According to Moyo, the towers are engineered to withstand floods and cyclones and are designed to last 500 years—far surpassing the typical 50‑year lifespan of standard towers.

The project is expected to be fully completed by the end of November, with commissioning planned for mid‑ to late‑December.

Once operational, the interconnector will allow Malawi to import a minimum of 50 MW of power from Mozambique.

Officials say the project will bolster Malawi’s electricity supply, create avenues for regional power trading, and deepen economic integration between the two neighbouring countries.