KARPOWER IN MOZAMBIQUE FLOATING THERMOELECTRIC POWER STATION PROJECT MAPUTO

The Maputo Floating Thermoelectric Power Plant Project, a partnership between Karpower and Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), proposes a 415MW natural gas-powered floating station in the Espírito Santo Estuary. The project includes a 4km transmission line and a 3km gas pipeline. Potential risks include the degradation of mangrove ecosystems, loss of livelihoods for artisanal fishers in Matola, Katembe, and Maputo city, and increased respiratory diseases due to reduced air quality. The document highlights the risk of 'locking-in' to costly fossil fuel agreements that could crowd out renewable energy alternatives. It also notes Karpower's controversial track record in South Africa, Guinea-Bissau, and Brazil, including allegations of environmental racism and human rights violations.

• The project consists of a floating power station with a capacity of 415MW produced from natural gas, intended to operate for at least 3 years. Infrastructure includes a 3km gas pipeline from the Maputo Thermal Power Station (CTM) and a 4km transmission line connecting to a 275KV substation in Matola, crossing the Fomento and Matola A neighbourhoods.
• The project poses significant threats to the Espírito Santo Estuary's biodiversity, specifically targeting mangroves, which serve as carbon reservoirs and coastal stabilisers. Potential impacts include water and soil pollution from waste discharges, thermal pollution from warmer water discharge, and the displacement of near-threatened flamingos, dolphins, and sea turtles.
• Local communities face socio-economic risks, including restricted access to fishing grounds for artisanal fishers in Matola, Katembe, and Maputo city. While the project may create 140 construction jobs for Mozambicans and 35 operational jobs, it may also trigger social conflicts due to the influx of outside workers and the loss of agricultural land and salt production activities.
• The use of natural gas contributes to climate change through methane emissions, which are 80 times more polluting than CO2 in the short term. There is a strategic risk that a power purchase agreement with Karpower will lock Mozambique into expensive electricity and prevent the adoption of cheaper, cleaner wind and solar alternatives.
• Karpower has a history of operational failures and legal disputes in other regions: in South Africa, three projects failed to proceed as of July 2024; in Guinea-Bissau, the capital lost power due to payment disputes and 'unbalanced' contracts; and in Brazil, a court interrupted its licence due to environmental impacts and allegations of 'environmental and energy racism'.
• Civil society organisations argue the project should be reclassified as an 'A+' activity under Decree 54/2015 because it directly affects mangroves and wetlands. They demand transparency regarding the cost of electricity, the duration of the project, and the specific end-users of the power produced.

APA

Natural Justice (2024). KARPOWER IN MOZAMBIQUE FLOATING THERMOELECTRIC POWER STATION PROJECT MAPUTO. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PAMPHLET_Karpower-in-Mozambique_Final.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. KARPOWER IN MOZAMBIQUE FLOATING THERMOELECTRIC POWER STATION PROJECT MAPUTO. 2024. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PAMPHLET_Karpower-in-Mozambique_Final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Natural Justice |title=KARPOWER IN MOZAMBIQUE FLOATING THERMOELECTRIC POWER STATION PROJECT MAPUTO |date=July 2024 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PAMPHLET_Karpower-in-Mozambique_Final.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naturaljustice2024karpower, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{KARPOWER IN MOZAMBIQUE FLOATING THERMOELECTRIC POWER STATION PROJECT MAPUTO}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, year = {2024}, month = jul, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PAMPHLET_Karpower-in-Mozambique_Final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }