Maputo, 26 May (AIM) – The African Development Bank (ADB) has approved 43.6 million US dollars to fund the construction of an electricity transmission line in Namaacha and Boane districts, in the southern Mozambican province of Maputo.
According to a statement from the bank, the new facility will transmit up to 332 gigawatt-hours of clean wind energy from the future 120 MW Namaacha Wind power station to homes and businesses across Mozambique and the Southern Africa region.
“The financing comprises 33.2 million dollars from the African Development Fund and 10.4 million dollars sourced from its Climate Action Window – a dedicated fund supporting 37 low-income African countries with climate-resilient infrastructure to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement. The Government of Mozambique is also contributing to the project”, reads the statement. This project, according to the document, is a major step forward in Mozambique’s transition to a low-carbon energy future.
“It will deliver affordable electricity, support local industry, and improve livelihoods”, said Kevin Kariuki, the Bank’s Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth.
The project will be carried out by the publicly-owned electricity company, EDM, in partnership with Namaacha Power Station (CEN), which is a project implemented by private companies led by Globeleq Africa.
“Under the project, two new 43-kilometres, single-circuit, 66-kilovolt transmission lines will be constructed in addition to network upgrades and equipment to ensure stable power delivery. Once completed, the project will support thousands of new electricity connections in rural and underserved communities. It will also cut carbon dioxide emissions by over 71,000 tons annually and bolster the regional trade in energy within the Southern African Power Pool”, says the note.
“This investment strengthens the backbone of Mozambique’s power system while accelerating access to clean energy for people who need it most”, says Wale Shonibare, Director of the Bank’s Energy Financial Solutions, Policy, and Regulations Department.
The project aligns with the African Development Bank’s “Light Up and Power Africa” strategic priority as well as Mozambique’s goal, in alignment with the Mission 300 initiative, to achieve universal electrification by 2030.
(AIM)
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