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Generation during April to October of the current financial year was 23,015 million units. The information was given by Power Minister Manohar Lal in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.


Zambia AFRY to update key studies for Batoka Gorge project AFRY has secured a contract from the Zambezi River Authority, the organisation jointly owned by Zambia and Zimbabwe, to update the feasibility study and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Batoka Gorge hydroelectric scheme. The proposed plant, to be sited in the Batoka


Gorge downstream of Victoria Falls, is planned to have an installed capacity of up to 2400MW. “We are committed to advancing sustainable


hydropower solutions utilising the potential of the Zambezi River. Hydropower is a cornerstone of the global energy transition, and we are delighted to be part of empowering communities with reliable, renewable energy solutions that stand the test of time,” said Ernst Zeller, Segment Head, Hydro at AFRY. Under the contract, AFRY will review earlier studies and update them with detailed technical, economic, and operational analyses aimed at optimising the plant’s layout and operations. The work will include assessments of hydrology and climate change, installed capacity, reservoir operations, energy production, and the associated transmission system. The assignment also covers updates to the


environmental and social impact assessments, a review of the implementation schedule, and preparation of tender documents.


Saudi Arabia NEOM’s Trojena dam project reaches 1 million m3 of RCC placement The construction team developing the Trojena dams for Saudi Arabia’s NEOM development has surpassed a major engineering milestone: 1 million m3


of roller compacted concrete (RCC)


placed to date. The figure marks roughly 25% of the total RCC


required for the project’s main and secondary dams, according to project personnel. The milestone was achieved in approximately 18 months of continuous progress. Webuild is leading the dam package. The following cumulative work statistics have been shared by site engineers: ● 687 days of continuous activity. ● Average workforce: 5,348 people (with peaks reported above 7000). ● More than 9.6 million m3 completed.


of earthworks ● 280,000 m3 of conventionally poured (CVC) concrete placed.


● Over 55,000 hours of workforce training delivered.


● Personnel representing 41 nationalities currently on site.


The RCC achievement comes as part


of Webuild’s US$4.7bn contract, signed in early 2024, to build three dams and related infrastructure that will create Trojena’s planned 2.8km freshwater lake. The lake will be central to the mountain destination’s masterplan and a key feature ahead of Trojena hosting the 2029 Asian Winter Games. The main dam is designed to reach 145m in height with a volume of 2.7 million m3


of


RCC, while a second dam will also use RCC and a third will be constructed as a 4.3 million m3


rockfill structure. According to NEOM,


excavated material from the surrounding mountains is being reused for dam and lakebed construction to reduce environmental impact. Webuild’s scope also includes The Bow, a


large architectural structure that will project over the valley and host a hotel and residential facilities. The company stated that more than 10,000 workers – including direct and third- party personnel – will be involved throughout the duration of the contract.


Nigeria


Mabon and HYDROGRID partner to bring AI-driven optimisation to Dadin Kowa plant Mabon Limited has partnered with HYDROGRID to deploy the HYDROGRID Insight optimisation platform at the 40MW Dadin Kowa hydropower plant in Gombe State, Nigeria. Located on the Gongola River, the plant forms part of the country’s second-largest dam, which holds a 300km2


reservoir with a design storage capacity


of 2.8 billion cubic meters. The partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency at Dadin Kowa by improving inflow forecasting, optimising production across seasonal conditions, reducing spillage, and aligning maintenance work with periods of low- value generation. According to the companies, the introduction of AI-driven decision support is expected to help maximise yield at one of Nigeria’s most significant hydropower assets. “Mabon Dadin Kowa Hydropower Plant is only a few years into operation, which makes this the right moment to build smarter systems into how we run it. With HYDROGRID, we will have better visibility into what is coming – whether that is the next rainy season or the next maintenance window – so we can make decisions that serve both the plant and the communities depending on it. This is also about sustainability: using every cubic meter of water wisely and ensuring the plant delivers long-term value in line with Nigeria’s clean energy goals,” said Richard Madubunyi, Managing Director/ CEO of Mabon Limited. Since entering operation and connecting


to the grid in 2020, the plant has produced more than 900GWh of clean electricity. Beyond power supply, Mabon says the project supports regional socioeconomic development through


6 | January 2026 | www.waterpowermagazine.com


infrastructure improvements, education initiatives, and employment opportunities. Dadin Kowa also contributes to the country’s Electricity Vision 30:30:30, which targets 30GW of installed capacity by 2030, with renewables contributing at least 30%. “We are proud to collaborate with Mabon on Dadin Kowa, as they set out to combine robust infrastructure with cutting-edge digital tools early in the plant’s operational life. This approach will accelerate performance gains and ensure the plant delivers maximum value over its lifetime,” said Janice Goodenough, CEO of HYDROGRID. According to HYDROGRID, the deployment will support more accurate seasonal inflow forecasting, improved reservoir and dispatch management to minimise spillage, and better long-term maintenance planning to reduce financial impacts and preserve asset value. The companies say early digitalisation will help accelerate environmental and economic returns at the project.


Malawi


ADF approves $22.9m grant for rehabilitation of Malawi hydropower plants The African Development Fund (ADF) has approved a grant of $22.9m to support the rehabilitation of the Kapichira and Nkula B hydropower plants in Malawi, two facilities that together provide about half of the country’s electricity supply. The grant forms part of a broader $118.7m


rehabilitation programme, with additional co- financing expected. The project will focus on Kapichira I, a 64MW plant in Chikwawa District serving southern Malawi, and Nkula B, a 10 MW plant commissioned in 1966 and the country’s oldest major hydropower station. Both plants are operating below capacity due to ageing equipment and damage from recent cyclones. “This project represents a cornerstone investment in Malawi’s economic transformation,” said Macmillan Anyanwu, African Development Bank’s country manager for Malawi. “By restoring these hydropower plants to optimal performance, we are not just fixing infrastructure – we are unlocking economic potential, creating jobs, and bringing reliable electricity to communities that have struggled with chronic power shortages.” According to the African Development Fund,


the rehabilitation will increase annual electricity generation by an estimated 55%, from 916GWh to 1,426GWh. The work is also expected to extend the operational life of the facilities from about 22 years to 47 years and improve plant availability from around 80% to 95%, reducing forced outages. Malawi has one of the lowest electricity access


rates in Africa, with 25.9% of the population connected to power. Supply constraints worsened in 2022 after Tropical Storm Ana damaged the Kapichira plant, which accounts for


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