Transportation of transformers in Mozambique

Three roughly 150 ton transformers had to be transported from Sweden to the Cahora Bassa hydroelectric power plant in Mozambique. On the 250 kilometer stretch from the Zimbabwean border to the Songo Pass, there are a number of bridges whose load-bearing capacity was not sufficient for conventional transportation – on a vessel deck, for example. The construction of costly dams to bypass the structures was to be kept to a minimum.

We therefore realized a so far unique solution: With a lightweight lattice girder frame construction, we spread the load of each transformer over two bridge fields. In the case of five bridges with a total of 10 spans, we were unable to verify sufficient load-bearing capacity for load distribution. In these cases, we additionally set up heavy-load props in the wadis beneath the bridges. By the start of the rainy season, all the parts of the construction had been dismantled.

We were also able to attract local staff for help with the assembly work. These workers have already been trained for future assignments with the prop materials that we have left with them.