Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambique plans to achieve universal access to energy by 2030 with measures that include the expansion of the electricity infrastructure and off-grid solutions, according to the Energy Transition Strategy (ETS), to which Lusa had access on Tuesday.
“The expansion of the grid will be fundamental to guaranteeing universal access to energy,” both electrical and thermal, points out the document approved by the government, recalling that according to the National Electrification Strategy, to achieve this goal in 2030, with 70% of solutions connected to the grid and 30% off-grid, “approximately 2.5 million new grid connections and two million off-grid connections” will be needed.
It also notes that high-voltage lines will be added or upgraded to supply the hydroelectric capacity to be installed after 2030, as well as to neighbouring countries.
“The additional transmission capacity in the coming years will depend on the growth in national demand and will determine the country’s ability to export electricity. This medium/long-term programme aims to enable the electricity grid to guarantee a balance between supply and demand, as well as maintaining the stability of the electricity grid,” reads the document, which details one of the ETS programmes.
It also states that this expansion includes basic domestic electricity infrastructure, “but also the creation of new green industrial corridors”, namely Nacala, in the north of the country, “with the capacity to absorb and transport renewable energy”.
“The aim is to transport energy to the central-northern system, increase the universal access rate and strengthen the development of a green industrialisation process in the main industrial zones,” it points out.
The document recognises a “viable interconnected network” as fundamental and outlines the goal of “expanding and strengthening” the national network by 2030 to guarantee the supply of 28 to 32 TWh [TeraWatt-hours] of energy, “including the development of national infrastructure and a 15-25% share of renewable energy”.
After 2030, Mozambique will “further expand the grid” to support 55 to 65 TWh, including 30 to 40% of renewables, rising to 65 to 75 TWh between 2040 and 2050, half guaranteed by renewables.
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Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi said at the climate summit last December that the ETS would put the country at the “forefront of climate innovation”.
“This initiative not only places Mozambique at the forefront of climate innovation but also positions it as an attractive, sustainable investment destination,” said the head of state after speaking on 2 December at one of the panels at the UN climate summit (COP28), which is taking place in Dubai.
On 27 November, Mozambique’s Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy announced investments of 80 billion dollars (73 billion euros) in the Energy Transition Strategy to be implemented by 2050.
“Mozambique has great potential to be a global leader in climate-aligned development. This is due to its considerable renewable energy resources and substantial natural gas reserves. The ambitious ETS sets out a clear path to capitalise on these assets and enable sustainable growth at a national level while supporting the reduction of emissions at a local and global level,” reads a statement from the Ministry.
Between 2024 and 2030, the Mozambican government plans to add 3.5 GigaWatts (GW) of new hydroelectric capacity by modernising existing plants and completing the Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric project.
It will also “expand and modernise the national grid” to “absorb the increase in renewable generation”, as well as “boost solar and wind energy” through a renewable energy auction programme.
It will also advance the construction of “green industrial parks and corridors enabled by reliable and affordable clean energy”.
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