Mozambique Takes First Step Towards Large Solar With 44 MW Floating Solar Plan

Mozambique, the 32 million strong South East African country is making its first bid for a floating solar plant. State-owned power company Electricidade de Mocambique (EDM) is seeking a consultancy that will conduct a feasibility study to assess the potential and implications of setting up a floating solar farm at a hydro power reservoir in the south-eastern African country. The plant, if approved, will probably be funded by the African Development Bank, which is also funding the feasibility study and had also released a formal EOI for this requirement on Dec 23, 2021.

The request for expressions of interests, invites consultants to submit their applications by January 28.

The object of the floating solar plant of 44 MW capacity floating plant is the reservoir of the 44-MW Chicamba hydroelectric power plant in Manica province.

The AfDB sponsored study should consider technical and financial viability, environmental impact assessment for the power plant infrastructure and interconnection lines, the environmental impact of the dam and marine ecosystem, and socio-economic aspects of the proposed project. The resulting data will guide EDM and other local stakeholders in the decision-making process, the power company said.

Mozambique, a developing country with one of the highest potential for renewable energy, currently has just over 40% of its population connected to the grid. A massive oil and gas find off its coast has raised hopes of an economic resurgence, but till then, the country runs primarily on Hydro power, at over 80% of its power generation for the grid. That means, a majority of the country is still dependent on biomass for energy needs. For the $40 billion GDP country, it’s oil riches might just hold the key to meeting key energy access goals.

incidentally, Indian firms ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) and OIL have a role to play here, as they own 30% interest in the area where LNG equivalent to over 12 million tonnes is expected to be produced in due course, under a consortium led by French major Total.