Mozambique looks for investors in hydro energy

JOHANNESBURG – Mozambique has invited foreign investors to build hydropower projects in 100 locations with a total estimated hydroelectric potential of up to 14 000 megawatts, a senior official said yesterday.

The national director of New and Renewable Energy, Antonio Saide, told Reuters that vast potential has been identified in the central provinces of Manica and Tete as well as the northernmost province of Niassa. “We have identified between 12 000 MW and 14 000 MW of hydroelectric potential in 100 locations in the provinces of Manica, Tete and Niassa.We are inviting foreign investors to come and explore these areas,” he told Reuters.Saide said funding was also needed for feasibility studies.”We are, and we will be talking to potential investors on the need to maximise energy production in Mozambique, as we are gearing to become an energy alternative in the (southern African) region, whose shortage is affecting growth and industry,” he said.Mozambique produces 2 075 megawatts of electricity, mainly at its Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric (HCB) plant in Tete province, which plans to increase output.HCB, which suffered from decades of neglect and lack of investment, currently provides 60 per cent of its power to South Africa’s Eskom and 35 percent to Zimbabwe’s power utility Zesa while Mozambique consumes only 5 per cent.Saide said mini hydroelectric projects offered solutions to the problem of electricity supply, which has not yet reached the whole of Mozambique.”Surveys for use of this potential have yet to go ahead, as the use of this type of energy requires large investments, that’s why foreign investors should participate,” he said.Only 15 per cent of the country’s 20 million people have access to energy, while several major industrial projects in Mozambique have halted due to power shortages.Nampa-Reuters”We have identified between 12 000 MW and 14 000 MW of hydroelectric potential in 100 locations in the provinces of Manica, Tete and Niassa.We are inviting foreign investors to come and explore these areas,” he told Reuters.Saide said funding was also needed for feasibility studies.”We are, and we will be talking to potential investors on the need to maximise energy production in Mozambique, as we are gearing to become an energy alternative in the (southern African) region, whose shortage is affecting growth and industry,” he said.Mozambique produces 2 075 megawatts of electricity, mainly at its Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric (HCB) plant in Tete province, which plans to increase output.HCB, which suffered from decades of neglect and lack of investment, currently provides 60 per cent of its power to South Africa’s Eskom and 35 percent to Zimbabwe’s power utility Zesa while Mozambique consumes only 5 per cent.Saide said mini hydroelectric projects offered solutions to the problem of electricity supply, which has not yet reached the whole of Mozambique.”Surveys for use of this potential have yet to go ahead, as the use of this type of energy requires large investments, that’s why foreign investors should participate,” he said.Only 15 per cent of the country’s 20 million people have access to energy, while several major industrial projects in Mozambique have halted due to power shortages.Nampa-Reuters