Renewables and energy transition in Mozambique
Source：360 Mozambique
From：Mozambique
Update Time：2024/02/02
Mozambique, a nation rich in natural resources, intends to emerge as a relevant player in the dynamics of the energy transition and, in particular, generation from renewable energy sources. With immense potential for the production of solar, wind and hydroelectric power, the country is making progress in the transition to a low-carbon economy, as an important factor in driving sustainable development and improving the quality of life of Mozambicans, many of whom still have no access to the electricity grid.
One of the public sector’s main strategic objectives is to raise the national electrification rate to 100 per cent by 2030, with the expectation, according to EDM, that between 2023-2028 around 58 per cent of production capacity will come from renewables. This is the vision of a country that, despite the challenges, is taking advantage of its natural capacities to create a greener and more sustainable energy future.
Mozambique’s current energy landscape is marked by a significant dependence on non-renewable energy sources, mainly natural gas. With large-scale exploration projects, Mozambique has attracted significant investment in this area. However, various factors have led to delays and interruptions, preventing the gap between energy supply and demand in the country from being closed.
Be that as it may, Mozambique’s potential in the transition to renewable energy is undeniable. The exploitation of renewable energy resources, such as hydroelectric, solar, wind and biomass energy, has been gaining traction.
In particular, although global radiation on a horizontal plane is high, exploitation of the potential of solar energy is limited. Of the more than 20,000 GW of potential, 2.7 GW are thought to be suitable for solar projects. By the end of 2022, around 120 MW were in operation, half of which were connected to the national grid.
There is confirmation of vast potential in terms of biomass, in excess of 2 GW, the largest of which comes from productive forests. There are plans to build a bio-refinery to produce biodiesel from palm oil.
In terms of wind energy, Mozambique has 4.5 GW of potential, of which around 25 per cent could be connected immediately to the existing grid. At this level, the efforts of an independent energy producer who is leading the development of a 120 MW wind project in Namaacha, near Maputo, should be highlighted.
There is also confirmation of vast potential in terms of biomass, in excess of 2 GW, with the greatest potential coming from productive forests. There are plans for energy production, such as the construction of a bio-refinery to produce biodiesel from palm oil.
Finally, there is the hydroelectric potential, one of the largest in Africa, estimated at more than 12,000 MW, especially in the province of Tete, on the Zambezi River, where the large-scale Cahora Bassa power station is located. The export of electricity generated at this plant is a regular activity, making Mozambique a critical supplier of electricity to neighbouring countries. The implementation of the Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric plant (1500 MW), 60 kilometres downstream from Cahora Bassa, is expected to further strengthen installed capacity and Mozambique’s strategic position in the region. In parallel, the construction of strategically located micro-hydroelectric power stations is seen as an option for improving the electrification rate for the rural segment.
The potential for renewable energies is tremendous, with hydro being the most utilised, representing a very significant share of total energy production capacity. Capturing all this potential can and must support the achievement of the two strategic objectives listed: improving the rate of access to electrification and strengthening the country as an active player in the energy transition.
In this context, there are a number of key strategic axes to support the capture of all this potential, with actions and initiatives implemented by the public sector.
Firstly, the definition of a vision and concrete targets as a sign of commitment and an incentive for investment. In 2018, the National Electrification Strategy was approved, which set the goal of universal access by 2030, in addition to the provision of uniform and sustainable tariffs that allow costs to be recovered and adjusted periodically.
Source: https://360mozambique.com/opinion/renewables-and-energy-transition/