Relevant Dates
Please, see the relevant dates from HCB, since 1956 until today.
27 November 2007
At the public meeting in Songo, the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Armando Guebuza, officially announces the transfer of HCB to the Mozambican state. Thousands of people took part in this meeting, which was attended by several heads of state and government.
26 November 2007
Moçambique pays Portugal and ownership of HCB is transferred to the Mozambican state.
31 October 2006
The governments of Mozambique and Portugal sign in Maputo the protocol on the transfer of HCB to the Republic of Mozambique, under which the period of a year, that may be extended by a further six months, is granted for payments. After the payments the share capital would be reorganized, Mozambique holding 85% of the hare capital, Portugal the remaining 15%.
2007
The project for the rehabilitation, automation and remote control of the power station (REABSUL) is completed.
2 November 2005
Memorandum of understanding signed between the governments of Mozambique and Portugal, under which they agree to change the initial assumptions for passing the ownership of the dam into Mozambique’s hands. The agreement defines the compensation to be paid to Portugal and the new shareholding structure after payment.
2005
The results of REABSUL began to be felt in 2005 with the first record production of 13,064 GWh. Since then production has increased each year. The maximum possible annual production is 18,000 GWh.
22 March 2003
Faced with an increasing number of breakdowns, the fact that certain spare parts are no longer manufactured, and the need for modernisation, a project for the rehabilitation, automation and remote control of the power station (REABSUL) is begun.
August 2000
Celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of HCB, with prizes awarded to the most long-serving workers of the company, and publication of the book “A nossa energia abraça Moçambique” (“Our power embraces Mozambique”).
December 1999
First HCB/ZESA tariff review.
1 August 1998
Resumption of electricity sales to ESKOM, after complete rehabilitation of the line.
8 July 1998
Agreement reached at Vimeiro on HCB/ESKOM tariff revision.
16 June 1998
Resumption of supplies to EDM through Komatipoort.
1 December 1997
Start of the transmission of electricity to ZESA.
1 June 1992
Supplementary Contract HCB/ESKOM/EDM under which ESKOM cedes part of its reserved power for alternative supply to ZESA.
29 May 1992
Supply contract between HCB and ZESA (Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority).
System Operating Agreement HCB/EDM/ZESA. Wheeling Charge Agreement EDM/ZESA.
22 June 1988
Agreement between the governments of Portugal, South Africa and Mozambique to solve the problems posed by rehabilitating the undertaking following the destruction of the HVDC line.
22 June 1988
Third HCB/ESKOM tariff review.
2 May 1984
Second HCB/ESKOM tariff review.
2 May 1984
Agreement between the governments of Portugal, South Africa and Mozambique, to supply electricity not only to South Africa and Mozambique but eventually also to other countries.
New version of the HCB/ESKOM contract, after the contract had been suspended on 1 December 1980.
Contract between HCB and EDM to supply electricity to southern Mozambique through the ESKOM grid (Komatipoort).
New version of the tripartite HCB/ESKOM/EDM contract.
28 May 1983
Contract between HCB and EDM to supply electricity to the Matambo/Chibata sub-stations.
1 December 1980
Suspension of the HCB/ESKOM contract due to the destruction of the HVDC line.
June 1980
Interruption of the third level commercial operation due to the destruction of pylons on the HVDC line.
22 June 1979
Start of the commercial operation of the third level of the first phase of the undertaking.
Transmission of 1920 MW with five generator groups and eight conversion groups.
16 April 1978
Start of the commercial operation of the second level of the first phase of the undertaking.
25 March 1978
The eight flood gates and the surface spillway fully opened, following the maximum inflow registered of 17,700 m3/s.
1977
First HCB/ESKOM tariff review.
26 March 1977
Start of the commercial operation of the first level, of the first phase, of the undertaking: the transmission of 960 MW by three generator groups (5, 4 and 3) and four conversion groups (1, 2, 3 and 4).
25 January 1977
First rotation of generator group no. 2.
17 September 1976
First rotation of generator group no. 3.
3 July 1975
First test rotation of generator group no 4 (second to be installed).
23 June 1975
Creation of Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa SARL, under a protocol signed between the Portuguese state (following a resolution of the Council of Ministers of 4 June) and Frelimo (Decree Law no 71/75 of the Transitional Government of Mozambique).
19 May 1975
First test transmission of electricity to the Apollo sub-station.
25 March 1975
First test rotation of generator group no. 5 (the first to be installed).
5 December 1974
The lake begins to fill with the closing of the floodgates and the provisional diversion on the right bank.
January 1974
Work completed on assembling the two monopolar lines transmitting HVDC electricity, linking Cahora Bassa to Apollo (South Africa), and covering about 1,400 Kms.
May 1972
Conclusion of diversion channel on the right bank and the coffer dam, which allowed a start to be made on constructing the dam itself.
27 February 1970
Creation of the Zambezi Development Planning Office (GPZ).
19 September 1969
Signing of the contract for electricity supply between the Portuguese government and ESKOM of the Republic of South Africa.
4 September 1969
The Zamco (Zambeze Consórcio Hidroeléctrico, Lda.) consortium is awarded the contract for Cahora Bassa, which involves building the dam and installing the system to generate and transmit electricity.
December 1966
Hidrotécnica Portuguesa is hired to draw up the Project of Cahora Bassa hydroelectric supplies.
16 March 1957
The Zambezi Promotion and Settlement Mission is set up.