Renewable energies have been the government’s and the private sector’s bet to expand access to electricity for many families, especially those living in remote areas. In this regard, according to the Mozambican Renewable Energy Association (AMER), the country has made several investments that have already totalled more than 2.6 billion dollars (164.2 billion meticais) since 2017.
Quoted by Semanário Económico, the organisation’s president, Ricardo Pereira, said that less than 54% of the population has access to off-grid solutions, putting the country a long way from achieving the targets set under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The country has great potential, especially with the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric Plant, which is already making a significant contribution to renewable energy generation. We believe that there should be a broader debate on the sector, as well as channelling more investment,’ he said.
He explained that renewables play a crucial role in the country’s future, maintaining that there are 24 programmes designed, but that they need funding of 354 million dollars, and that the limitations of commercial banking increase dependence on specific international funds for credit lines.
“We invite investors to look at the country. There are ongoing projects that need funding. We must witness the development and progress of renewable energies,’ he emphasised.
Data from the report released in 2023 by the Lusophone Renewable Energy Association (ALER) and the Mozambican Renewable Energy Association indicates that the country has made significant progress in the renewable energy sector, having exported 27% of its production to neighbouring countries, aiming to position itself as an energy hub in the southern African region.
The document argued that, in order to ensure the country’s energy needs, the government approved the 2018-43 Electricity Infrastructure Master Plan, as a lower cost solution, to integrate 20 per cent renewable energy into the national energy matrix.
Recently, the Ministry of Economy and Finance revealed that electricity production through solar parks in Mozambique grew by 14 per cent in the first quarter of the year, adding that there are six large solar parks and other small plants in the country which together produced 19,688 MegaWatt-hours (MWh), compared to 17,328 MWh in the same period in 2023.
The report drawn up by the institution recalled that last year the country had projects for 125 MW solar power plants, emphasising that the new Energy Transition Strategy foresees investments of around 80 billion dollars by 2050.
Mozambique will develop, in a first phase, by 2030, ‘at least’ 1000 MW of new solar photovoltaic capacity in Dondo, Lichinga, Manje, Cuamba, Zitundo and other locations to be identified, and 200 to 500 MW of new onshore wind energy capacity, namely in Inhambane and the town of Lagoa Pathi, in the district of Manhiça, Maputo province.
By 2050, the aim is to have at least 7.5 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity installed in the country and up to 2.5 GW of wind power capacity.
