Mozambique and Zambia boost electricity interconnection – AIM

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Mozambique and Zambia boost electricity interconnection – AIM

5:28 CAT | 20 Mar 2025

Photo: ZESCO

Mozambique and Zambia on Wednesday signed an agreement aimed at interconnecting the energy systems of the two countries in order to ensure electricity supply in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

The measure will be implemented by the Mozambican publicly-owned electricity company, EDM, and the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO).

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, António Manda, and the Zambian Minister of Energy, Makoze Chikote.

According to a statement, with an estimated investment cost of 411.5 million dollars, the project aims not only to increase energy supply capacity between the two countries, but also to strengthen Mozambique’s position as a relevant player in the regional energy market.

The interconnection, the note says, will facilitate the exchange of energy, promoting trade with other members of SADC and generating additional revenue for Mozambique.

“This instrument establishes the framework for the development of the Energy Systems Interconnection Project between Mozambique and Zambia, through a 400 kV power transmission line that will stretch for approximately 376 kilometers, linking the Matambo Substation in Mozambique to the Chipata West Substation in Zambia”, reads the document.

At the ceremony, the EDM chairperson, Joaquim Ou-chim, said that the project signing marks the transition from planning to execution “of this long-awaited project.”

“In the current global energy scenario, regional cooperation is no longer an option but a necessity. As Africa moves towards greater energy integration, projects like this pave the way for a more connected and self-sufficient continent”, he said.

Source: AIM