Difference between revisions of "Mozambique Renewable Energy Potential"
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== Solar == | == Solar == | ||
[[File:Solar map of Mozambique.png|thumb|PV Power Potential in Mozambique, World Map<ref name=":9">''“Yearly average values of PV electricity (AC) delivered by a PV system and normalized to 1kWp of installed capacity (© 2019 Solargis)”'' (https://globalsolaratlas.info/support/methodology)</ref>]] | [[File:Solar map of Mozambique.png|thumb|PV Power Potential in Mozambique, World Map<ref name=":9">''“Yearly average values of PV electricity (AC) delivered by a PV system and normalized to 1kWp of installed capacity (© 2019 Solargis)”'' (https://globalsolaratlas.info/support/methodology)</ref>]] | ||
| − | Mozambique has | + | Mozambique has significant renewable energy potential, estimated at 23,026 GW, the vast majority of which comes from solar resources. Despite this abundance, solar energy still accounts for a relatively small share of the country's installed electricity generation capacity.<ref name=":8" /> |
| − | + | According to the Renewables in Mozambique Briefing 2025, installed solar capacity stood at approximately 55 MW, entirely from solar power plants. However, the Energy Transition Strategy (ETS) sets ambitious targets to accelerate the development of the sector, envisaging the installation of 1–2 GW of solar capacity by 2030, between 3.5 and 4.5 GW by 2040, and at least 7.5 GW by 2050. | |
| − | + | Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) has identified a pipeline of 21 solar projects at different stages of development. These form part of a broader portfolio of priority renewable energy projects with the potential to add 1,365.7 MW to the country's generation capacity.<ref name=":8" /> | |
| + | |||
| + | Operational solar power plants include Mocuba (40 MW) and Metoro (30 MW). The project pipeline also includes initiatives at different stages of development, such as Manje, Chimbunila, Dondo, Cuamba and Mecufi, as well as projects supported by the PROLER and GET FiT Mozambique programmes. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Solar energy expansion is expected to be driven by competitive procurement mechanisms, private sector investment and the implementation of the Energy Transition Strategy. These initiatives represent important opportunities to strengthen energy security, diversify the electricity mix and accelerate access to electricity across Mozambique.<ref name=":2">ALER, ‘Renováveis Em Moçambique’, 2021, https://www.lerenovaveis.org/contents/lerpublication/aler_mar2021_resumo-renovaveis-em-mocambique-2021.pdf.</ref>. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|+Large scale solar projects in Mozambique (tender stage/construction/operating) | |+Large scale solar projects in Mozambique (tender stage/construction/operating) | ||
| Line 58: | Line 62: | ||
As of 2020, Mozambique has one of the highest hydropower potential in Africa, estimated at more than 12,000 MW<ref name=":0">Kameshnee Naidoo and Christiaan Loots, ‘Mozambique / Energy and the Poor – Unpacking the Investment Case for Clean Energy’, 2020, https://sun-connect-news.org/fileadmin/DATEIEN/Dateien/New/2021-01-29_UNDP-UNCDF-Mozambique-Energy-and-the-Poor.pdf.</ref>, especially in the Tete province, at the Zambezi River, where the large-scale plant Cahora Bassa is located (more than 80% of the potential). The other 12 major river basins are Maputo, Umbeluzi, Incomati, Limpopo, Save, Buszi, Pungwe, Licungo, Ligonha, Lúrio, Messalo, and Rovuma and have potential for all types of hydropower from pico, mini to large-scale hydropower<ref>Miguel M. Uamusse et al., ‘Mini-Grid Hydropower for Rural Electrification in Mozambique: Meeting Local Needs with Supply in a Nexus Approach’, ''Water'' 11, no. 2 (February 2019): 305, https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020305.</ref>. Exportation of electricity generated in Cahora Bassa is already a regular business, which makes Mozambique a critical supplier of electricity to neighboring countries and an area of interest for further electricity commerce<ref name=":0" />. | As of 2020, Mozambique has one of the highest hydropower potential in Africa, estimated at more than 12,000 MW<ref name=":0">Kameshnee Naidoo and Christiaan Loots, ‘Mozambique / Energy and the Poor – Unpacking the Investment Case for Clean Energy’, 2020, https://sun-connect-news.org/fileadmin/DATEIEN/Dateien/New/2021-01-29_UNDP-UNCDF-Mozambique-Energy-and-the-Poor.pdf.</ref>, especially in the Tete province, at the Zambezi River, where the large-scale plant Cahora Bassa is located (more than 80% of the potential). The other 12 major river basins are Maputo, Umbeluzi, Incomati, Limpopo, Save, Buszi, Pungwe, Licungo, Ligonha, Lúrio, Messalo, and Rovuma and have potential for all types of hydropower from pico, mini to large-scale hydropower<ref>Miguel M. Uamusse et al., ‘Mini-Grid Hydropower for Rural Electrification in Mozambique: Meeting Local Needs with Supply in a Nexus Approach’, ''Water'' 11, no. 2 (February 2019): 305, https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020305.</ref>. Exportation of electricity generated in Cahora Bassa is already a regular business, which makes Mozambique a critical supplier of electricity to neighboring countries and an area of interest for further electricity commerce<ref name=":0" />. | ||
| − | However, the grid connection of large-scale hydropower plants is not a solution to electrify rural off-grid population. The construction of strategically localized micro-hydro plants could improve the electrification rate for this section of the population. The current feed-in-tariff approved in 2014, supports PPA for small hydropower projects from 10 kW to 10 MW. This incentive is expected to improve investments in small projects in order to increase job opportunities, electrify rural households and public buildings, as well as drive economic development of local rural villages. There are currently studies to evaluate the benefits and possibility of replication or expansion of existing small scale hydropower, such as the plant located in Manica<ref>Miguel Uamusse, ''Small Scale Hydropower as a Resources of Renewable Energy in Mozambique: Case of Chua River in Manica'', 2018, https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201805.0327.v1</ref>. | + | However, the grid connection of large-scale hydropower plants is not a solution to electrify rural off-grid population. The construction of strategically localized micro-hydro plants could improve the electrification rate for this section of the population. The current feed-in-tariff approved in 2014, supports PPA for small hydropower projects from 10 kW to 10 MW. This incentive is expected to improve investments in small projects in order to increase job opportunities, electrify rural households and public buildings, as well as drive economic development of local rural villages. There are currently studies to evaluate the benefits and possibility of replication or expansion of existing small scale hydropower, such as the plant located in Manica<ref>Miguel Uamusse, ''Small Scale Hydropower as a Resources of Renewable Energy in Mozambique: Case of Chua River in Manica'', 2018, https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201805.0327.v1</ref>. |
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|+'''Table: Installed hydropower capacity in Mozambique''' | |+'''Table: Installed hydropower capacity in Mozambique''' | ||
Latest revision as of 14:41, 5 November 2026
Introduction
Mozambique is increasingly positioning itself as an attractive destination for investment in large-scale renewable energy projects, particularly hydropower, solar and wind. Under the country’s Energy Transition Strategy (ETS), significant investments are planned to expand renewable energy generation capacity, with hydropower remaining the dominant source in the electricity mix.
The current installed hydropower capacity stands at approximately 2,194 MW, while solar power accounts for 55 MW. The ETS targets the installation of 1–2 GW of solar capacity and 200–500 MW of wind power by 2030, increasing to 3.5–4.5 GW of solar and 1.2–1.5 GW of wind by 2040.
Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) has identified a pipeline of 25 priority renewable energy projects, comprising 21 solar and four wind projects at different stages of development, with the potential to add approximately 1,365.7 MW of capacity in the coming years.
The development of new generation capacity is expected to rely increasingly on competitive procurement mechanisms. Launched in 2020, the Renewable Energy Auctions Programme (PROLER) promotes private sector investment and competitive electricity tariffs. Tenders have already been launched for three solar power plants with a combined capacity of 90 MW: Manje and Chimbunila, expected to be awarded in 2026, and Dondo, whose tender was relaunched in April 2026.
In parallel, the GET FiT Mozambique programme launched a prequalification tender in 2024 for two lots of solar PV plants with battery energy storage systems (BESS), with a combined potential capacity of 25–30 MW. A further tender for small hydropower plants is also envisaged.
The 1,500 MW Mphanda Nkuwa Hydropower Project represents one of the country's most significant strategic investments in electricity generation and is being developed by a consortium led by EDF, TotalEnergies and Sumitomo Corporation, in partnership with EDM and HCB.[1].
Solar
Mozambique has significant renewable energy potential, estimated at 23,026 GW, the vast majority of which comes from solar resources. Despite this abundance, solar energy still accounts for a relatively small share of the country's installed electricity generation capacity.[1]
According to the Renewables in Mozambique Briefing 2025, installed solar capacity stood at approximately 55 MW, entirely from solar power plants. However, the Energy Transition Strategy (ETS) sets ambitious targets to accelerate the development of the sector, envisaging the installation of 1–2 GW of solar capacity by 2030, between 3.5 and 4.5 GW by 2040, and at least 7.5 GW by 2050.
Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) has identified a pipeline of 21 solar projects at different stages of development. These form part of a broader portfolio of priority renewable energy projects with the potential to add 1,365.7 MW to the country's generation capacity.[1]
Operational solar power plants include Mocuba (40 MW) and Metoro (30 MW). The project pipeline also includes initiatives at different stages of development, such as Manje, Chimbunila, Dondo, Cuamba and Mecufi, as well as projects supported by the PROLER and GET FiT Mozambique programmes.
Solar energy expansion is expected to be driven by competitive procurement mechanisms, private sector investment and the implementation of the Energy Transition Strategy. These initiatives represent important opportunities to strengthen energy security, diversify the electricity mix and accelerate access to electricity across Mozambique.[3].
| Solar Plant | Description | Status |
| 30 MW*, Mocuba, Zambezia | PV facility owed by EDM and two Norwegian Independent Power Producers: Scatec Solar and KLP Norfund Investments. The facility will supply electricity to about 175,000 households as part of a 25 year power purchase agreement with EDM.[4] | in operation since 2019[5][6] |
| 30 MW*, Metoro, Cabo Delgado | Owned by the French IPP Neoen (75% share) and EDM (25% share) and has a capacity to add 69 GW/hr per year electricity to the national grid. Neoen has also signed a 20 year power purchase agreement with EDM [7][8] . | in operation since April 2022[9] |
| 30 MW, Dondo, Sofala | Total Eren is responsible for design, financing, construction and operation of this project, under a public-private partnership model. Total Eren will also sign a power purchase agreement to sell the electricity to EDM.[10] | On April 2022, ARENE awarded the tender to Total Eren[1] |
| 30 MWp, Chimuara | Solarcentury Africa, Renewable Energy Services Africa (RESA) and Checunda Investimentos are jointly developing this plant and the electricity will be sold to EDM.[11] | land secured and will be built in phases with first phase having a capacity of 30 MWp[11] |
| 19MWp solar plant with a 2 MW (7MWh) energy storage system, Cuamba, Niassa | Globeleq and Source Energia are responsible for constructing this plant and the generated electricity will be sold to EDM using a 25 year long PPA. The companies will also upgrade the existing Cuamba sub-station as part of their agreement with EDM.[12] | construction[13] |
*Capacity available for EDM[3]
During the African Energy Forum celebrated in June 2022, EDM together with the International Finance Cooperation (IFC) announced four mini solar PV and battery storage facilities with an expected total production of 50 MW. These plants are planned to be part of the National Grid and IFC will also conduct a grid integration and financial feasibility study before the construction of the solar plants.[14][15]
Hydropower
As of 2020, Mozambique has one of the highest hydropower potential in Africa, estimated at more than 12,000 MW[16], especially in the Tete province, at the Zambezi River, where the large-scale plant Cahora Bassa is located (more than 80% of the potential). The other 12 major river basins are Maputo, Umbeluzi, Incomati, Limpopo, Save, Buszi, Pungwe, Licungo, Ligonha, Lúrio, Messalo, and Rovuma and have potential for all types of hydropower from pico, mini to large-scale hydropower[17]. Exportation of electricity generated in Cahora Bassa is already a regular business, which makes Mozambique a critical supplier of electricity to neighboring countries and an area of interest for further electricity commerce[16].
However, the grid connection of large-scale hydropower plants is not a solution to electrify rural off-grid population. The construction of strategically localized micro-hydro plants could improve the electrification rate for this section of the population. The current feed-in-tariff approved in 2014, supports PPA for small hydropower projects from 10 kW to 10 MW. This incentive is expected to improve investments in small projects in order to increase job opportunities, electrify rural households and public buildings, as well as drive economic development of local rural villages. There are currently studies to evaluate the benefits and possibility of replication or expansion of existing small scale hydropower, such as the plant located in Manica[18].
| Plant | Installed Capacity (MW) | Location | Operator |
| Cahora Bassa | 2075[19] | Tete | Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa |
| Mavuzi | 52[20] | Manica | EDM |
| Chicamba | 44[20] | Manica | EDM |
| Corumana | 16.6[20] | Maputo | EDM |
| Cuamba | 1.09[20] | Niassa | EDM |
| Lichinga | 0.73[20] | Niassa | EDM |
Source: Cahora Bassa Data from 2016[19]
Data for EDM plants from 2018[20]
Planned large-scale hydropower projects include a 1,245 MW north bank expansion of the Cahora Bassa in 2021 and a new power plant with an installed capacity of 1,500 MW (Mphanda Nkuwa) 60 km downstream from Cahora Bassa to be commissioned in 2028[19].
| Project name | Location | Size | Status (as of 2022) |
| Cahora Bassa North Bank | Tete | 1245 MW | Sustainability Assessment |
| Mphanda Nkuwa | Tete | 1500 MW | African Development Bank will serve as an advisor for this project and the project aims to reach financial close by end -2024 and commissioning is foreseen for 2031. The project is expected to cost USD 4.5 billion[22].
Previously, the plant was supposed to be developed and operated by a consortium of three organisations: Camargo Corrêa (40%), Insitec (40%), and EDM (20%). This deal fell through due to lack of finance and hence the Government revoked the concession in 2018. Currently, the Government is looking for private sector investment[23]. |
| Lupata | Sofala | 600-650 MW | Feasibility |
| Boroma | Tete | 200-400 MW | Feasibility |
| Lurio | Cabo Delgado | 120 MW | Feasibility |
| Mavuzi 2&3 | Manica | 60 MW | Feasibility study[24] |
| Malema | Nampula | 60 MW | Pre-Feasibility |
| Massingir | Gaza | 25-40 MW | Pre-Feasibility |
Wind
Mozambique has a potential wind capacity of 4.5 GW, of which about 25% has potential for immediate connection to the existing grid. The provinces with the most potential are Tete, Maputo, Sofala, Gaza, and Inhambane. This potential is determined by the sites with the highest average wind speed at 80 m (more than 7 m/s in Maputo and Gaza), and having more than 3,000 hours equivalent to the nominal power[25].
The following maps show the mean wind speed at 100 m above sea level, and the estimated mean power density available from the wind resource. The southern region of Maputo shows a high mean wind speed at 100 m, however the power density is low. The areas with the best wind resource and higher mean power density are located in the central part of Tete and at the border between the Nampula and Zambezia provinces[25].
There are two wind projects planned for a total of 170 MW of installed capacity. For one of the wind projects, a 50 MW plant to be located in the Inhambane province, the tender will be launched in early 2024. The other project will be located in Namaacha, close to Maputo[3]. EleQtra (private company) won the tender to construct a 120 MW wind farm in Namaacha. The construction started in Aug 2020 and is expected to be commissioned in 2023. It will be developed in two phases: the first phase includes 60 MW and additional 60 MW will be added in second phase as the demand evolved. EleQtra has singed a power purchase agreement to sell the electricity to EDM[26] and will be connected to the Boane substation[27].
Biomass
Overall, Mozambique has a rich biomass potential of over 2 GW[28]. Charcoal and firewood are important fuels for cooking energy purposes in Mozambique, as well as in other countries in southern Africa. Mozambique’s dry tropical woodland allows the growth of tree species, such as Colophospermum mopane, which provides a high-quality, slow-burning product[29]. However, the use of charcoal as fuel has serious implications for health, environment, gender and finances and is discussed in this chapter. Sustainable exploitation of biomass resources can prevent land conflicts, abuse of community rights, and environmental impacts such as deforestation, land degradation and greenhouse gas emissions[30]. In order to ensure sustainable biomass production, the National Directorate of New and Renewable Energy in Mozambique, with cooperation from the European Union partners, developed the Biomass Energy Strategy in 2012. This strategy identified the highest potential for biomass from productive forests to be 26.9 million ha. The provinces with the largest potential area are Niassa, Zambezia, Tete and Cabo Delgado[30]. Wood for fuel production is obtained from plantations located mainly in the provinces of Niassa, Zambezia, and Manica[30].
Other biomass fuels with high calorific value are solid wastes, deriving from different productive industries. The following table from GET.invest shows the potential of biomass derived from waste by sector (data from 2014)[28].
| Forestry | 1006 MW |
| Agro-industry | n/a |
| Pulp Industry | 280 MW |
| Sugar Industry | 831 MW |
| Municipal Solid Waste | 63 MW |
| Other (livestock holdings, vegetable oils for coconut or jatropha) | n/a |
For a breakdown of livelihood zones where sale of biomass is one of the main income sources, see this chapter.
Further Information
- Mozambique Electricity situation
- Energy Access situation
- Renewable Atlas from FUNAE: https://www.funae.co.mz/index.php/pt/recursos/recurso-eolico
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 AMER, ALER 2025, Resumo: Renováveis em Moçambique https://www.aler-energia.org/contents/files/resumo-renovaveis-em-mocambique-2025.pdf
- ↑ “Yearly average values of PV electricity (AC) delivered by a PV system and normalized to 1kWp of installed capacity (© 2019 Solargis)” (https://globalsolaratlas.info/support/methodology)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 ALER, ‘Renováveis Em Moçambique’, 2021, https://www.lerenovaveis.org/contents/lerpublication/aler_mar2021_resumo-renovaveis-em-mocambique-2021.pdf.
- ↑ MOZAMBIQUE: Scatec Solar and partners successfully connect Mocuba power plant: https://www.afrik21.africa/en/mozambique-scatec-solar-and-partners-successfully-connect-mocuba-power-plant/
- ↑ PV Magazine, ‘Construction Begins on 41 MW Solar Project in Mozambique’, pv magazine International, 2020, https://www.pv-magazine.com/2020/10/30/construction-begins-on-41-mw-solar-project-in-mozambique/.
- ↑ Mozambique Conflict: What’s behind the Unrest?’, BBC News, 29 March 2021, sec. Africa, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56441499.
- ↑ Afrik21 (2022):MOZAMBIQUE: France’s Neoen commissions its 41 MWp Metoro solar power plant. https://www.afrik21.africa/en/mozambique-frances-neoen-commissions-its-41-mwp-metoro-solar-power-plant/
- ↑ ALER (2022): Mozambican president inaugurates the country's largest solar power plant. https://www.aler-renovaveis.org/en/communication/news/mozambican-president-inaugurates-the-countrys-largest-solar-power-plant/
- ↑ ESI (2022).Mozambique’s EDM invests $40m into solar and wind power plants. https://www.esi-africa.com/renewable-energy/mozambiques-edm-invests-40m-into-solar-and-wind-power-plans/
- ↑ MOZAMBIQUE: Total Eren awarded the contract for the Dondo solar power plant: https://www.afrik21.africa/en/mozambique-total-eren-awarded-the-contract-for-the-dondo-solar-power-plant/
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 MOZAMBIQUE: Solarcentury joins forces with RESA and Checunda for a 100 MWp solar park. 2022. https://africa-energy-portal.org/news/mozambique-solarcentury-joins-forces-resa-and-checunda-100-mwp-solar-park
- ↑ Globeleq (2021). Cuamba Solar PV + Energy Storage Project Breaks Ground in Mozambique.https://www.globeleq.com/blog/cuamba-solar-pv-energy-storage-project-breaks-ground-in-mozambique/ https://www.globeleq.com/blog/projects/cuamba-solar/
- ↑ Globeleq (2022).Cumaba Solar. https://www.globeleq.com/blog/projects/cuamba-solar/
- ↑ AEF, "IFC and EDM Partner to Increase Access to Renewable Energy in Mozambique", https://www.africa-energy-forum.com/press-release-ifc-edm-partner-increase-access-renewable-energy-mozambique
- ↑ MOZAMBIQUE: Agreement between EDM and IFC for 4 mini solar power plants of 50 MW: https://www.afrik21.africa/en/mozambique-agreement-between-edm-and-ifc-for-4-mini-solar-power-plants-of-50-mw/
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Kameshnee Naidoo and Christiaan Loots, ‘Mozambique / Energy and the Poor – Unpacking the Investment Case for Clean Energy’, 2020, https://sun-connect-news.org/fileadmin/DATEIEN/Dateien/New/2021-01-29_UNDP-UNCDF-Mozambique-Energy-and-the-Poor.pdf.
- ↑ Miguel M. Uamusse et al., ‘Mini-Grid Hydropower for Rural Electrification in Mozambique: Meeting Local Needs with Supply in a Nexus Approach’, Water 11, no. 2 (February 2019): 305, https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020305.
- ↑ Miguel Uamusse, Small Scale Hydropower as a Resources of Renewable Energy in Mozambique: Case of Chua River in Manica, 2018, https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201805.0327.v1
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 IHA, ‘Hydropower Status Report’, 2016, https://www.lerenovaveis.org/contents/lerpublication/iha_2016_may_hydropower-status-report-2016.pdf
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 EDM, ‘Generation | EDM - Electricidade de Moçambique’, accessed 19 May 2021, https://www.edm.co.mz/en/website/page/generation.
- ↑ Andrew Bullock and Stephan Hülsmann, ‘Strategic Opportunities For Hydropower Within The Water-Energy-Food Nexus In Mozambique’, n.d., 71.
- ↑ Mozambique: African Development Bank to serve as advisor for development of 1500 MW Mphanda Nkuwa hydropower project: https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/mozambique-african-development-bank-serve-advisor-development-1500-mw-mphanda-nkuwa-hydropower-project-51829
- ↑ Mphanda Nkuwa Hydropower Project: https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/projects/mphanda-nkuwa-hydropower-project/
- ↑ Club of Mozambique (2022). Mozambique energy consumption exceeding 1000MW at peak times. https://furtherafrica.com/2022/07/18/mozambique-energy-consumption-exceeding-1000mw-at-peak-times/
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Recurso Eólico’, accessed 24 June 2021, https://www.funae.co.mz/index.php/pt/recursos/recurso-eolico
- ↑ Namaacha wind project in Mozambique starts construction: https://cceonlinenews.com/2020/09/03/namaacha-wind-project-in-mozambique-starts-construction/
- ↑ Wind energy in Mozambique, EleQtra starts the first wind farm: https://www.evwind.es/2020/09/03/wind-energy-in-mozambique-eleqtra-starts-the-first-wind-farm/76965
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 GET.invest, ‘Renewable Energy Potential – GET.Invest’, accessed 21 April 2021, https://www.get-invest.eu/market-information/mozambique/renewable-energy-potential/
- ↑ Emily Woollen et al., ‘Charcoal Production in the Mopane Woodlands of Mozambique: What Are the Trade-Offs with Other Ecosystem Services?’, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 371, no. 1703 (19 September 2016): 20150315, https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2015.0315
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 ‘Mozambique Biomass Energy Strategy.Pdf’, accessed 24 June 2021, https://www.greengrowthknowledge.org/sites/default/files/downloads/policy-database/MOZAMBIQUE%29%20Mozambique%20Biomass%20Energy%20Strategy.pdf















