Mozambique is preparing to increase its renewable energy generation capacity with the installation of a new solar power plant in Gaza province. The project, valued at approximately US$110 million (around 7 billion meticais), will be developed by the company Sal Energia, in collaboration with Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM).
With a planned capacity of 95 megawatts, the plant will be built on an area of 211 hectares in the administrative post of Chibuto Sede. The plan also includes the construction of a 275 kilovolt transmission line approximately 10 kilometers long, ensuring the connection of the plant to the local substation.
Sal Energia will assume responsibility for the financing, construction and operation of the infrastructure, contributing to the reinforcement of the electricity grid and the expansion of access to electricity in the country. In recent years, solar energy production in Mozambique has shown significant growth, registering an increase of 18.6 percent in 2024. However, this source still represents a small share of the national energy matrix, largely dominated by hydroelectricity, which accounts for 83.8% of electricity generation.
The government has ambitious plans to expand solar energy, with the goal of reaching 1,000 megawatts by 2030. This objective is part of the Energy Transition Strategy (ETS), which seeks to balance domestic consumption and explore opportunities for sustainable energy exports.
The country currently has an installed solar energy capacity of 125 megawatts, of which 80 megawatts are already integrated into the national grid. In the long term, Mozambique plans to reach 7.5 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic energy and 2.5 gigawatts of wind energy by 2050. To attract investment and ensure competitive tariffs, the government is investing in the Renewable Energy Auction Programme, inspired by the South African model, which has proven effective in accelerating the adoption of clean energy sources.
(By Renaldo Manhice)
