Cahora Bassa Dam

The Cahora Bassa Dam is located in Mozambique. It is one of two major dams on the Zambezi river, the other being the Kariba. The dam was finished in December 1974 after much political debate. This dam is used to convert the Zambezi River power into electricity by turning turbines. That energy is then sent to South Africa. The Cahora Bassa dam forms Cahora Bassa Lake. The dam is jointly owned by Mozambique and Portugal. From independence until 2007, eighteen percent of the dam and lake was owned by Mozambique and eighty-two percent by Portugal. Portugal sold down its share to 15 percent in 2007. The Cahora Bassa dam is the largest hydroelectric power plant in southern Africa and the most efficient power generating station in Mozambique.

Cahora Bassa Dam
Cahora Bassa Dam, 2007
Location of Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique
LocationTete, Mozambique
Coordinates15°35′09″S 32°42′17″E
Construction began1969
Opening date1974
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsZambezi River
Height171 m (561 ft)
Reservoir
CreatesCahora Bassa Lake
Total capacity55.8 km3 (45,200,000 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area56,927 km2 (21,980 sq mi)
Surface area2,739 km2 (1,058 sq mi)
Maximum water depth157 m (515 ft)
Power Station
Turbines5 × 415 MW (557,000 hp) Francis-type
Installed capacity2,075 MW (2,783,000 hp)
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