Piana–Mwanga Hydroelectric Power Station
| Piana–Mwanga Hydroelectric Power Station | |
|---|---|
  Map of DRC showing the location of Mpiana–Mwanga Dam | |
| Country | DR Congo |
| Location | Piana Mwanga, Manono Territory, Tanganyika Province |
| Coordinates | 07°38′55″S 28°05′36″E / 7.64861°S 28.09333°E |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Proposed |
| Owner(s) | AVZ Minerals Limited |
| Operator(s) | AVZ Power Limited |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Luvua River |
| Operator(s) | AVZ Power Limited |
| Commission date | 2023 Expected |
| Type | Run-of-the-river |
| Installed capacity | 54 MW (72,000 hp) |
Piana–Mwanga Hydroelectric Power Station, also Mpiana–Mwanga Hydroelectric Power Station, is a 54 megawatts (72,000 hp) hydroelectric power station in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The power plant was originally commissioned in 1933 to service a nearby tin mine. The tin mine was mothballed in 1982 and so was the power station. In 2020, the mining conglomerate AVZ Minerals Limited, reached an agreement to rehabilitate the power station to power its mining operations in Manono Territory, including the Manono–Kitotolo Mine, one of the largest lithium mines in the DRC, whose reserves are estimated at 120,000,000 tonnes (132,277,357 tons) of ore.[1][2]
Location[edit]
The power station is located across the Luvua River (a tributary of the Congo River), in the town of Piana Mwanga, in Manono Territory, in the Tanganyika Province of DR Congo. This location is approximately 81.5 kilometres (51 mi), by road, southeast of the town of Manono, the territorial capital.[3] Piana Mwanga is located about 394 kilometres (245 mi), by road, southwest of the city of Kalemie, the capital of Tanganyika Province.[4] The geographical coordinates of Piana–Mwanga Hydroelectric Power Station are 07°38'55.0"S, 28°05'36.0"E (Latitude:-7.648611; Longitude:28.093333).[5]
Overview[edit]
AVZ Minerals Limited, based in Australia is in the process of developing the lithium and tin Manono–Kitotolo Mine, in the town of Manono, DRC. As part of the infrastructure to develop that development, AVZ, through its subsidiary AVZ Power Limited has agreed with the Congolese authorities to explore the possibility of acquiring the abandoned Piana-Mwanga HPP, rehabilitating it and using the 54 megawatts generated there to support its mining activities in Manono Territory. A feasibility study has been authorized, the outcome of which, will inform those decisions.[6][7]
Other considerations[edit]
When the refurbishment starts, AVZ Power Limited hopes to start with two turbines with capacity of 9 megawatts each, for a total of 18 megawatts. Later, all six turbines will be replaced, for a total of 54 megawatts of output. The transmission grid and distribution network within the town of Manono and in Manono Territory will also require refurbishment.[8]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (4 February 2020). "DRC: AVZ Minerals to revive old Mpiana-Mwanga hydroelectric plant". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ African Energy (30 January 2020). "DR Congo: Miner plans to refurbish Piana-Mwanga hydro". Africa-Energy.com. Hastings, United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ Google (2 September 2021). "Road Distance Between Piana Mwanga, DRC And Manono, DRC" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ Google (2 September 2021). "Road Distance Between Kalemie, DRC And Piana Mwanga, DRC With Interactive Map" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ Google (2 September 2021). "Location of Piana–Mwanga Hydroelectric Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ Water Power (24 February 2020). "AVZ Power to investigate refurb of Mpiana-Mwanga, DRC". Water Power Magazine. Kent, United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ Hydro Review (15 January 2020). "AVZ Power signs MOU to refurbish Mpiana-Mwanga hydroelectric power station in DRC". HydroRview.com. United States. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ Daniel Itai (16 January 2020). "Australia bids to salvage DRC's electricity crisis". News of the South. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
External links[edit]
- AVZ Minerals' Manono Lithium and Tin Project on cusp of reaching bankable status As of 18 August 2021.