By MOZTIMES
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The Mozambican publicly owned electricity company, EDM, has announced that the restoration of the damaged pylon on a high voltage transmission line, which has left the northern province of Cabo Delgado without electricity, will cost 20 million meticais (313,000 US dollars at the current exchange rate).
The pylon collapsed on Monday night. The collapse was provoked by soil erosion caused by the torrential rains that have been falling in northern Mozambique. In addition to Cabo Delgado, the power outage also affects the district of Eráti, in the neighboring province of Nampula.
According to EDM chairperson, Joaquim Ou-chim, speaking to reporters on Thursday, the amount is for the immediate restoration of the electricity system, “which demands mobilizing technical teams and the needed materials.”
“We have mobilized around 100 men, about half of them EDM teams, but we also recruited and trained people from this area for support. Heavy machinery could not be used due to access conditions, and it demands human strength to restore the system”, Ou-chim said.
He also said that for the permanent and resilient reconstruction of the pylon, the company needs 50 million meticais. “Our initial plan was to restore power on Wednesday, but unfortunately we had a very heavy rainstorm and, for safety reasons, we could not continue to work. But everything is being done to restore the electricity supply in Cabo Delgado”, he said.
While power is not yet restored, EDM has been providing electricity generators in essential infrastructure, including hospitals, to mitigate the impacts. “We are working in collaboration with cooperation partners, to mitigate risks and ensure equipment readiness for a faster response in adverse weather”, he added. (MT)
