Mozambique: Africa can lead energy transition – MIREME

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Mozambique: Africa can lead energy transition – MIREME

6:54 CAT | 21 Jun 2024

Photo: Uganda Electricity Transmission Company - UETCL

The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy o (MIREME)said today that Africa meets the conditions to be at the forefront of the energy transition, urging increased investment in infrastructure in the sector.

“The energy transition is irreversible and the African continent has all the conditions to lead this process,” António Manda told the 58th meeting of the Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) in Maputo.

The African continent has enormous and diverse energy potential, including hydro, solar, wind and geothermal sources, Manda pointed out. Put to use, this potential can transform the continent’s economy, provide universal access to energy and promote sustainable development.

“It is essential to invest in the diversification of the energy matrix, because, in addition to its sustainability and low implementation cost, this nature-based energy generation and distribution mechanism allows energy to reach the most remote communities faster, by resorting to off-grid solutions,” the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy highlighted.

Manda recalled that African countries have made a commitment to ensuring universal access to energy by 2030, within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He called for efforts for the integrated development of the African energy sector, through the interconnection of energy networks and joint exploitation of resources, the removal of barriers to electrification and transformation of companies in the area into centres of excellence.

“We will ensure that more Africans have access to energy,” he emphasized.

In the case of Mozambique, he continued, the country is implementing the National Electrification Strategy approved in 2018, aiming to expand access to this resource, with a preponderant role for renewable energy.

Manda pointed to the ongoing construction of the 450-megawatt Temane Thermal Power Plant (CTT), fuelled by natural gas, which will increase the country’s installed energy production capacity by around 16%, as an example of the country’s investment in the sector.

“These regional projects will consolidate Mozambique’s position as an energy hub capable of generating and transporting large amounts of energy, increasingly clean, boosting investments and productive initiatives,” he emphasised.

In parallel, the implementation of the Energy for All Program (ProEnergia) is growing domestic access to electricity in the country, from just over 35% in 2020 to the current 54%, Manda reported.

UETCL, represented by Joshua Karamagi – @UETCL_CEO is taking part in the Scientific Committee at the ongoing 58th Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) Annual Meeting from 17th – 21st June 2024, in Maputo, Mozambique organised by Electricidade de Moçambique.

The APUA… pic.twitter.com/ppzMD8v1Hw

— UETCL (@uetcl) June 17, 2024