The Mozambican government has set itself the goal of placing the country among the leaders in hydrogen production in southern Africa by 2030, within the scope of the Energy Transition Strategy (ETS), to which Lusa had access.
“Mozambique has great potential to develop a hydrogen industry due to its abundant resources. The country has abundant hydroelectric, natural gas, solar and wind energy resources, which can support the production of all types of hydrogen, especially green hydrogen,” the document begins, in which a specific programme is dedicated to this production.
“In addition, the energy generated from these sources can be accessed at a relatively low cost, making the hydrogen produced in Mozambique more competitive on international markets,” it also emphasises.
This is why the goal defined in the ETS, which globally foresees investments of around 80 billion dollars (73 billion euros) by 2050, is clear: “To position the country as one of the first and leading hydrogen producers in southern Africa by 2030”.
The first step set out in the so-called “hydrogen strategy” is to develop, later this year, “a comprehensive plan for the development of the sector based on an in-depth analysis”, with the government admitting that “it will be necessary to decide on the scale of hydrogen production envisaged, as well as the main markets, considering that the hydrogen produced will mostly be exported”.
“The role that hydrogen will play in decarbonising the Mozambican economy will be defined, given its ability to enable transport and industrial solutions with lower emissions and lower costs,” it said.
In 2024, Mozambique wants to establish objectives “regarding the production and consumption of hydrogen”, as well as the measures needed to achieve these goals, “including the development of hydrogen infrastructure”.
This strategy “will also identify the main stakeholders and partners”, as well as “the conditions for a favourable investment environment” in the sector, the document reads.
The ETS already defines the need to develop production facilities, storage facilities and transport networks: “Mozambique will work closely with national and international partners to complete this phase”.
The government also plans to “establish regional partnerships” with southern African countries “for a regional hydrogen economy, reducing the costs of developing hydrogen infrastructure and creating a broad market for hydrogen products and services”.
On 27 November, Mozambique’s Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy announced investments of 80 billion dollars (73 billion euros) in the Energy Transition Strategy, to be implemented by 2050.
In the 2024 to 2030 period, the Mozambican government plans to add 3.5 GigaWatts (GW) of new hydroelectric capacity by modernising existing plants and completing the Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric project.
It will also “expand and modernise the national grid” to “absorb the increase in renewable generation”, as well as “boost solar and wind energy” through a renewable energy auction programme and advance the construction of “green industrial parks and corridors enabled by reliable and affordable clean energy”.
Lusa
