Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries, has approved an ambitious strategy to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and transition to a greener and more resilient economy. The Energy Transition Strategy (ETS), which was endorsed by the Council of Ministers on Nov. 21, 2023, outlines a roadmap for increasing the share of renewable energy in the country’s power mix, diversifying its energy sources, and promoting low-carbon development.
The ETS estimates that the implementation of the strategy will cost $80 billion by 2050, but will also generate significant benefits for the country’s economic growth, social development, and environmental protection. According to the government, the ETS will create more than 500,000 jobs, increase access to electricity for all Mozambicans, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70%, and save $12 billion in fuel imports.
The ETS is based on a comprehensive analysis of the country’s energy potential, demand, and challenges, as well as consultations with various stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, and development partners. The strategy identifies four pillars for the energy transition: increasing hydropower capacity, expanding the transmission and distribution network, developing solar and wind power, and promoting energy efficiency and clean cooking.
Some of the key targets of the ETS include:
- Adding 2,000 megawatts of hydropower capacity by 2030 and 4,000 megawatts by 2050, making use of the country’s abundant water resources.
- Extending the transmission and distribution network to cover 90% of the population by 2030 and 100% by 2050, enabling the integration of more renewable energy and improving the reliability and affordability of electricity supply.
- Installing 1,500 megawatts of solar power and 500 megawatts of wind power by 2030, and 6,000 megawatts of solar power and 2,000 megawatts of wind power by 2050, taking advantage of the country’s high solar and wind potential.
- Increasing the share of renewable energy in the power mix from 80% in 2020 to 95% in 2030 and 100% in 2050, making Mozambique one of the greenest countries in the world.
- Reducing the energy intensity of the economy by 30% by 2030 and 50% by 2050, through measures such as improving energy efficiency in buildings, industries, and transport, and phasing out inefficient appliances and lighting.
- Increasing the use of ethanol and biodiesel in transport fuels from 3% in 2020 to 10% in 2030 and 20% in 2050, and promoting the adoption of electric and natural gas vehicles, reducing the dependence on imported fossil fuels and lowering emissions.
- Reaching universal access to electricity by 2030, up from 47% in 2020, and providing clean cooking solutions to 80% of the population by 2030 and 100% by 2050, up from 5% in 2020, improving the quality of life and health of millions of Mozambicans.
The ETS also envisages the development of green industrial parks, where renewable energy and locally produced minerals, such as lithium and graphite, can be used to manufacture products such as batteries, electric vehicles, and solar panels, creating value-added industries and export opportunities.
The government said it will announce the full details of the ETS at the COP28 international climate summit in Dubai on Dec. 2, 2023, where it hopes to attract financing and partnerships to support the implementation of the strategy. The government said it is committed to aligning its development goals with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and to contributing to the global efforts to combat climate change.
Mozambique’s ETS is part of a growing trend of low-emitting and energy-poor countries that are seeking to leapfrog to a green economy and avoid the pitfalls of fossil fuel dependence. According to a report by the Green Energy Alliance for People and Planet, a joint initiative by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bezos Foundation, these countries have the potential to become global leaders in climate-aligned development, if they receive adequate support and investment from the international community.
Mozambique’s ETS is a bold and visionary plan that shows the country’s determination to overcome its challenges and seize its opportunities. It is also a hopeful sign that the energy transition is not only possible but desirable, for all countries, regardless of their level of development.
Source: Bloomberg
