Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi said today that the country aims to be “the champion” in the production and supply of electricity in Southern Africa, capitalizing on its potential in the sector and the growing focus on renewable energy.
“We aspire to play a major role, as champions in energy supply, transforming the country into a regional hub,” Nyusi said.
The Mozambican head of state was speaking during the inauguration of the Metoro solar plant, the largest of its kind in the country, in the district of Ancuabe, Cabo Delgado province, northern region.
The combination of traditional energy sources, such as hydro and thermal, and renewable energies, namely solar and wind, will allow the country to reach new heights as an important pole in meeting domestic and regional needs, he added.
“Another bet is the use of renewable energies. My government has launched a renewable energy auction program to promote transparency and competitive tariffs” in the sale of energy, emphasized the Mozambican head of state.
Filipe Nyusi said that the Metoro thermal power plant will increase the availability of energy in the province of Cabo Delgado and contribute to the agenda of mitigating the impact of climate change, since the infrastructure is powered by a clean energy source.
The construction of the undertaking, he continued, responds to the priority of the Mozambican executive in the expansion of social and economic infrastructures aimed at improving the living conditions of the population and promoting a favorable environment for productive activities.
The infrastructure started being built in 2020, consists of 125,000 panels manufactured in China, has a capacity of 41 megawatts (MW) and can inject 69 gigawatt hours per year into the grid of Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM).
The project is budgeted at 47.3 million euros and results from a partnership between EDM, with 25%, and the French company Néon, with 75%.
Project financing was provided by the French Development Agency (AFD), with a loan of 40 million dollars (34 million euros), and the remainder by the Mozambican government.
After 25 years of operation, the infrastructure passes to EDM.
Lusa
