Renewable energies account for 70 per cent of national energy matrix

Maputo, 6 Nov (AIM) – Mozambique’s publicly owned electricity company, EDM, claims that renewable energies account for 70 per cent of the national electricity matrix, and promises that it will guarantee access to electricity for the entire population by 2030.

Recently, some 55 megawatts were added to the national grid through two solar power plants, at Cuamba, in the northern province of Niassa, which generates 15 MW, and at Mocuba, in the central province of Zambezia, with 40 MW.

But the main form of renewable energy remains hydropower. According to Mónica Olga Utchavo, head of the Renewable Energy Department at EDM, hydroelectric power stations, particularly at the Cahora Bassa dam on the Zambezi river, which contributes more than 2,000 MW, play a decisive role in the performance of renewable energies in the country.

“There is still work to be done internally to gauge the penetration of renewable energies, but we can guarantee that at the moment renewable energies account for 70 percent of the national energy matrix”, Utchavo said.

She also revealed that another 120 MW could be under construction at the beginning of next year, in addition to the Metoro solar plant in Cabo Delgado, which due to various constraints has not yet added its production to the national electricity grid, as part of a plan under which EDM hopes to produce an additional 600 MW by 2030.

Recently, the Energy Regulatory Authority (ARENE) announced that Mozambique is showing growth and commitment to climate change mitigation actions, leaving a clear command that the conduct of any reform and implementation of projects in the energy sector should take into account the need to mitigate climate change.

ARENE’s vision is reflected in the projects that are being implemented in the National Electricity Network (REN) with the Renewable Energy Auction Program (PROLER), the four generation projects (three solar and one wind) aimed at increasing energy security and achieving a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions in the period 2020-2030, carried out under a public tender system for the award of concessions to produce energy from renewable sources.

PROLER is now in its second public tender for the selection of Independent Energy Producers for the development of solar power plants in Tete and Niassa provinces.

(AIM)

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