Location:
The Kapichira hydroelectric project is one of the largest hydropower developments along the Shire River and was developed to take advantage of the natural drop in river levels at Kapichira Falls and to exploit the high firm flows of the Shire River resulting from the regulating effect of Lake Malawi. The hydroelectric project is situation on the Shire River approximately 70 km southwest of Blantyre, Malawi on the left bank of the Kapichira Falls. At this point the river plunges through a cascade of narrow gorges of gneissitic rock formations, before continuing downstream in a broad slow moving regime as a tributary of the Zambesi River.
Earth Tech was retained by the Electric Supply Corporation of Malawi to provide a feasibility study review including project optimization, final design, bid documents and construction supervision for Kapichira Hydroelectric Power plant. The project was implemented in three phases, and included an embankment dam at the head of Kapichira Falls, a power tunnel bypassing the falls on the left bank and a surface powerhouse set in a deep tail-race channel.
The development of innovative engineering solutions to meet the technical challenges posed by this project included effectively managing sediments in the reservoir, to preserve its storage capacity and improve the aquatic life environment and opting for the construction of a cost-effective power tunnel solution instead of an open-surface waterway to preserve the integrity of the site and avoid disruption of the migration routes of large game, such as elephants. Siting the project features away from the adjacent Majete Wildlife Preserve further minimized impacts on wildlife. Excavated material was used for construction of the dam, minimizing disturbance of the natural landmass.
