The project, comprising two cascading generating stations with a combined installed capacity of 358 MW, complete with separate substations and two transmission lines, is currently scheduled for commissioning by January 2030. It is being developed and will be operated by MHPL, a Special Purpose Vehicle created by the strategic sponsors – a consortium of EDF and SN Power (with a combined shareholding of 55 per cent) – under a Public Private Partnership, alongside the Government of Malawi (30 per cent) and IFC (15 per cent).
Water for energy production will be conveyed from the dammed upper reservoir to the main 300 MW powerhouse via tunnels and underground surge chambers, and then via penstocks to a lower 58 MW, powerhouse, which will be positioned directly against the foot of dam, in a close-coupled configuration.
Funding is being provided by the World Bank Group’s International Development Association (IDA), other key financing organizations including the IFC, the strategic sponsors and the Government of Malawi.
Bidding will be conducted through international competitive procurement, using a Request for Bids (RFB) as specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers”: Two envelopes Bidding Process without Prequalification (Procurement Guidelines). MHPP WP3 RFB is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the Procurement Regulations. Bids will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation process set out in the bidding documents. The weightings that shall apply are for Rated Criteria (including technical and non-price factors): 50 per cent and for bid cost criteria: 50 per cent.
A complete set of bidding documents in English will be made available to bidders in electronic format for free, in the employer’s virtual data room (VDR), upon request at the following email address: mhpp_wp3_rfb@mhpl.mw. A Non-Disclosure Agreement shall be signed before the first access. A pre-bid meeting followed by a site visit will be conducted from 15-18 December at Blantyre, Malawi. Eligible bidders may obtain information for attendance by email to: mhpp_wp3_rfb@mhpl.mw.
Bids must be submitted through the VDR by 31 March 2026, via electronic bidding. The public bid opening will be conducted online on the same day at 14:30 local time, where only envelopes marked “TECHNICAL PART” will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ designated representatives. Envelopes marked “FINANCIAL PART” will remain sealed until the second public bid opening.
All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security of US$ 1 million with an original version sent to: Olivier Flambard, Project Director, Mpatamanga Hydro Power Limited, 16, 17 and 18, First Floor, Almira Complex at Plot Number BC1114, Mandala, Blantyre, Malawi. Postal Address: Mpatamanga Hydro Power Limited, P.O. Box 886 Blantyre, Malawi. For more information, contact: mhpp_wp3_rfb@mhpl.mw
