Mozambique is among the African countries set to benefit from a new strategic partnership between John Thompson — a division of South Africa’s multinational ACTOM — and Berkeley Energy Corporate Solutions (BECS), a company specialized in biomass projects.
The agreement aims to accelerate the rollout of renewable, low-cost energy solutions across various industries on the continent, including in Mozambique.
According to a statement released on Friday (3), the cooperation combines John Thompson’s engineering and manufacturing expertise with BECS’s ability to secure sustainable biomass supply chains, creating a clean steam generation model for industrial clients.
The system will operate under long-term contracts: the infrastructure is designed, financed, and operated by the partners, while client companies only pay for the steam they consume.
“This approach allows industries to reduce dependence on fossil fuels without having to become energy experts. We take on the risk and responsibility for performance,” explained John Thompson’s CEO, Jaco Grobbelaar. BECS highlighted the importance of biomass supply stability, noting that the company works directly with major agricultural and forestry producers to secure long-term contracts that ensure sustainability and competitive pricing.
The first projects are already being implemented in South Africa, but the partnership has announced expansion into Zambia, Kenya, Ghana, and Mozambique — markets where demand for clean and predictable energy is growing.
According to BECS Managing Director Nicholas Tatrallyay, “Mozambique has strategic conditions for adopting these solutions, combining agricultural potential with an urgent need to cut costs and reduce industrial emissions.”
Sector experts believe that if projects move forward in Mozambique, they could strengthen national energy resilience, support decarbonization of the economy, and provide a stable alternative for industries reliant on process heat.
What is biomass, after all?
Biomass projects produce energy from organic waste, such as agricultural, forestry, or industrial residues. Instead of being discarded, these materials are converted into sustainable fuel used to generate heat, steam, or electricity.
The major advantage is that biomass is a renewable source that helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and carbon emissions, while also creating economic opportunities for local farmers and industries. In Mozambique’s case, with its vast forest and agricultural resources, biomass could become a strategic alternative to boost national energy resilience and drive the transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable growth model.
Source: Diário Económico
