The Swedish government has provided an extra $5 million (€4 million) to Mozambique’s state electricity company Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) to increase power coverage in Vilanculos district, in Inhambane province, southern Mozambique, the Swedish embassy said on Wednesday.
With Sweden’s contribution, over 100,000 families will have access to clean and reliable energy in the district the embassy said in a statement sent to the media.
“An electricity infrastructure that is stable, safe and less vulnerable to disasters related to climate change is crucial for the electrification of Vilanculos and this additional support from Sweden will help in that regard,” said Mette Sunnergren, the Swedish ambassador to Mozambique, cited in the statement.
According to the embassy, this is additional support, totalling $44 million (€37 million) already provided by Sweden for the electrification of Vilanculos.
The new amount will serve for the rehabilitation of 14 kilometres of power line damaged by Cyclone Idai, which hit the country in 2019, causing EDM to lose revenue and consequently delay the process of power strengthening and expansion.
“Through this additional funding, the number of new connections will increase from the current 6,750 to 10,000 connections, mostly in Vilanculos,” the document said.
According to the latest figures from EDM, electric power reaches 40% of the Mozambican population, with 36% receiving it from the national grid and around 4% via alternative sources.
