Overview

Mozambique has the largest power generation potential of all Southern African countries. Power Africa estimates that it could generate 187 gigawatts of power from coal, hydro, gas, and wind. Most of the power currently generated is from hydroelectric projects, however, natural gas, and renewable energy sources will have a significant impact in the future, with natural gas expected to provide 44% of total energy generation in the next decade.

Despite Mozambique’s huge potential for generation capacity, only 34% of the population has access to electricity. This is due to an underdeveloped transmission and distribution network, lack of financing and the bureaucracy involved in developing new power projects. Near future energy demand will be driven by industry and business, as most of the population cannot afford current tariffs despite the fact, they are highly subsidized. To mitigate the cost of expanding the grid to rural areas, the Government of Mozambique has made rural electrification development a priority led by the Mozambique Energy Fund Institute (FUNAE), which focuses on smaller off-grid projects of less than 10MW.

Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) is the sole electrical utility in the country. EDM sells power at a loss and had hoped to have a cost reflective tariff by the end of 2019. However, COVID-19 forced EDM to instead reduce its tariffs to sustain industry and business activities. EDM is also forced to subsidize tariffs to disadvantaged residential consumers, a strategy deemed unsustainable. According to national statistics a third of EDM’s customers, who are concentrated in Maputo and the surrounding province, generate 65% of EDM’s national revenue. Mozambique is a net exporter of energy to countries in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) - South Africa being the largest importer. EDM is making considerable structural and operational changes to finance its own generation projects especially in loss reductions. This transformation could bring major opportunities for U.S. companies that provide automation technologies and other ICT solutions.

The first Independent Power Projects (IPPs) in Mozambique came online in 2015. These projects have paved the way for future IPP negotiations and, more recently, the standardization of tendering documents. Given EDM’s weak financial capabilities, future IPPs will likely rely on development banks for financing. EDM and Mozambique support the development of renewable energy projects, having launched public tenders for solar and wind projects, the country is also exploring battery storage solutions.

The largest power generation plant in the country is the Cahora Bassa hydro dam, operated by the government-owned Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB). HCB sells 65% of its existing generation to South Africa, and the remaining 35% is sold to the northern regions of Mozambique and to Zimbabwe. HCB’s operations are located on the Zambezi River in Tete Province.

Mozambique recently commissioned several gas thermal plants, the latest of which is in the capital commissioned in 2018 under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with EDM. The Government also signed a PPA for a 420MW Combined Cycle Generation plant in 2021. According to BMI Research, gas-based generation is expected to increase by 18.1% annually through 2025. Mozambique’s first utility-scale solar power plant, a photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 40MW, was commissioned in Zambezia Province in 2019. There are numerous other renewable energy projects in development also expected to have significant growth over the next decade.

Mozambique has frequent power shortages mainly due to extreme weather events, forcing EDM to resort to expensive emergency power solutions. This creates another opportunity for U.S. companies providing emergency and backup generation solutions.

Finally, the government approved a new Electricity Law that simplifies permitting and concession processes for power generation projects particularly for off grid projects up to 10MW. This new law should boost private sector participation in power generation.

Power Africa is a market-driven, U.S. Government-led public-private partnership aiming to double access to electricity in Africa. It offers private sector entities tools and resources to facilitate doing business in Africa’s power sector.

In 2016, the Electrify Africa Act institutionalized Power Africa. Learn more about the full Power Africa toolbox or other opportunities offered by Power Africa.

The country recently approved a new Electricity Law that creates opportunities for private sector participation in the electricity sector.

Leading Sub-Sectors

Supply of equipment and services:

• Turbines, engines
• Generators
• Cables and electrical components
• Substation components
• Transmission line components
• Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services
• Financing and insurance services
• Solar panels and wind turbines
• Grid management software
• Smart metering systems

Opportunities

Mozambique’s domestic energy demand is increasing steadily and is expected to continue rising as the country industrializes. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries are expected to have higher demand for power that could be met with Mozambican exports.

Transmission

• The Mozambique Regional Transmission Backbone Project (CESUL) is a priority transmission project that would run from the center to the south of the country and then into South Africa. The project will consist of two high voltage lines, one 400 kV AC line and a 550 kV      DC line (HDVC), at an estimated cost of $2.1 billion. This project has been broken down into three phases, the first of which consists of an 800km line from Maputo city to Inhambane province is already under construction. The ongoing construction of Temane Transmission Project (TTP), a 400kV line at cost of $506 million is the first leg of this for the backbone project, that will transmit power from Central Termica de Temane (CTT), a gas-fired power plant in Inhambane Province, to Maputo.
• The Mozambique-Zambia Interconnector will link the Mozambican and Zambian grids with two 400KV high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) lines at an approximate cost of $313 million.
• The Mozambique – Malawi interconnector at cost of $154 million funded by the World Bank, the European Bank, and the German state-owned bank KfW will help connect Malawi to SAPP through the existing grid in Mozambique.    

Generation

• Mphanda Nkuwa Dam will be located downstream from Cahora Bassa on the Zambezi River and will have a capacity of 1,500MW. Current plans for this project depend on the success of the CESUL Transmission Project.
• The Renewable Energy Auctions Program in Mozambique (PROLER), developed with support from the European Union, is expected to conduct phased launches solar project tenders in the 30-40MW range.
• Central Termica de Temane (CTT), a 450MW gas-fired power plant located in Inhambane Province, with construction works in progress.