Nkhula A Hydroelectric Power Station
The Nkhula A Hydroelectric Power Station, also Nhula A Hydroelectric Power Station, is a hydroelectric power plant on the Shire River in Malawi. It has an installed capacity of 36 megawatts (48,000 hp), with three 12 megawatts (16,000 hp) generating sets.[1] The power was developed in stages, with the first phase involving the installation of three 8 megawatts-generating turbines. Phase I of the power station was officially opened in 1966.[2]
| Nkhula A Hydroelectric Power Station | |
|---|---|
| |
| Country | |
| Location | Malawi |
| Coordinates | 15°30′44″S 34°50′05″E |
| Status | Under Renovations |
| Commission date | 2018 (Expected) |
| Owner(s) | Electricity Generation Company Malawi Limited |
| Operator(s) | |
| Thermal power station | |
| Primary fuel | Hydropower |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 36 MW (48,000 hp) |
In April 2017, the Electricity Generation Company Malawi Limited (Egenco), began the first major overhaul of the power station since its inception, over 50 years earlier. The overhaul involves the replacement of the old power generators with new modern generators with new capacity of 36 megawatts. The ongoing renovations are expected to conclude in July 2018.[3]
Location
The power station is located across the Shire River, in Chikwawa District, in the Southern Region of Malawi, approximately 50 kilometres (31 mi), by road, north-west of Blantyre, the financial capital and largest city in the country.[4] The geographical coordinates of this power station are: 15°30'44.0"S, 34°50'05.0"E (Latitude:-15.512222; Longitude:34.834722).[5]
Overview
Nkhula A was the first major hydroelectric power station built in Malawi. The power station was built in two phases, with the first phase completed in 1966.[2][6] The second phase involved major overhaul of the power plant and expansion of capacity from 24 megawatts to 36 megawatts. This upgrade is expected to conclude in July 2018. The new turbines are expected to serve for the next 25 years.[3]
References
- Makasu, David (30 March 2018). "Egenco To Instal An K800m Machine At Nkula B Power Station". Malawivoice.com. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ESCOM (24 September 2015). "Hydropower Generation: Existing ESCOM Limited Generation System". Blantyre: Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM). Archived from the original (Archived from the Original) on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- Malawi Voice Reporter (13 September 2017). "Nkula A Power Plant To Start Functioning In July 2018…To Ease Power Blackouts Across Malawi". Malawivoice.com. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- Globefeed.com (15 April 2018). "Distance between Post Office, Blantyre, Malawi and Nkula Falls Power Station, Malawi". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- Google (15 April 2018). "Location of Nkhula A Hydroelectric Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- EGENCO (15 April 2018). "Electricity Generation Company Malawi Limited: List of Hydroelectric Power Stations". Blantyre: Electricity Generation Company Malawi Limited (EGENCO). Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
External links
- Energy supply in Malawi: Options and issues As of May 2015.