Canadian company JCM Power has been selected to develop the Manje solar photovoltaic plant, with a capacity of 30 megawatts (MW), in Tete province, reinforcing Mozambique's commitment to mobilising private investment for the expansion of renewable energy production.
The contract award was announced by the company itself, which described the initiative as its official entry into the Mozambican market through the Renewable Energy Auction Promotion Programme (PROLER) — the first competitive mechanism implemented in the country for the procurement of solar photovoltaic energy projects.
"The Manje project opens a new chapter for JCM Power in Africa, securing the company's entry into Mozambique through the PROLER programme," the company stated.
Located in Tete province in central Mozambique, the future plant is expected to contribute to increasing clean energy production and supporting national objectives to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity. JCM Power intends to work in collaboration with the government, Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), and other local partners in the implementation of the project.
PROLER is supported by the European Commission and the French Development Agency (AFD) and was created to promote private sector participation in the development of renewable energy infrastructure and to increase the country's electricity generation capacity. The programme envisages the installation of approximately 120 MW of renewable capacity through competitive tenders.
The process dates back to 2022, when Mozambican authorities launched a pre-qualification process for private investors to develop the Manje solar plants in Tete and Chimbunila in Niassa province, both with a planned capacity of 30 MW. Selected investors would be responsible for securing financing, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the infrastructure.
Founded in Canada, JCM Power is an independent power producer specialising in the development, financing, and operation of renewable energy projects in emerging markets. In Southern Africa, the company participated in the development of the 60 MW Salima solar plant in Malawi and the 20 MW Golomoti plant, complemented by an energy storage system.
The Canadian company's entry comes amid growing momentum in Mozambique's renewable energy sector. In June, the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy launched a tender for the installation of a 30 MW solar plant in Dondo district, Sofala province, signalling the resumption of PROLER and reinforcing the strategy of using competitive tenders to attract private investment.
The project was awarded under PROLER, a programme supported by the European Commission and the French Development Agency (AFD), created to promote private sector participation in renewable energy infrastructure development and to increase the country's electricity generation capacity.
Separately, the Nhamatanda Solar Plant project in Sofala province — an estimated investment of US$69 million promoted by EDM in partnership with private firm VBC — is currently in the public consultation phase. With a planned capacity of 45 MW, the facility is expected to occupy approximately 160 hectares and contribute to reinforcing the National Electricity Grid.
The project forms part of the Energia Para Todos (Energy For All) programme, coordinated by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, and is aligned with the government's target of achieving universal electricity access by 2030.
According to data from Electricidade de Moçambique, the national electrification rate has reached 66.4%, while the utility plans to make at least 420,000 new connections by the end of 2026, benefiting approximately two million people. In the first quarter of this year alone, more than 75,000 new connections were made through the National Electricity Grid and off-grid systems powered by solar plants and mini-hydroelectric facilities.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=535010
