Mozambique’s electricity exports up 9% in 2023

Mozambique’s electricity exports to neighboring countries rose 9% in 2023 from 2022 to a new high, underscoring the country’s assertion as a regional hub, according to a report and accounts from state-owned EDM.

According to the Eletricidade de Moçambique (EDM) report and reporting, the country’s electricity exports increased over the year from 1,730 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to 1,891 GWh, representing more than 30% of total production. .

“Our results in the Southern African region are very encouraging,” says Marcelino Chairman Gildo Alberto in a statement contained in EDM’s 2023 report and accounts.

“Gradually we are consolidating the goal of making Mozambique a regional energy hub. In addition to increasing exports, we increased our energy sales to Botswana in 2023 and successfully completed debt recovery with ZESCO, our partner in Zambia, in the amount of $22 million [20,2 milhões de euros]”, the same message says.

Lusa previously reported that EDM recorded a profit in 2023 for the third year in a row, but it fell by 7.5% compared to 2022, to 4.820 million metises (70.3 million euros).

According to the report and accounts published by EDM, the company’s turnover in 2023 increased by 14%, to 53.170 million metises (775.6 million euros).

In April, EDM announced it would increase power supply to its partner ZESCO in Zambia from 50 to 90 megawatts (MW), according to an addendum to the original contract.

“We intend not only to sell more electricity, but also to establish partnerships in the sector and create the necessary trust to improve commercial exchanges,” said EDM Chairman Marcelino Gildo Alberto. This was stated in a statement by the Mozambican electricity company.

He added that EDM is “ready to fill the power deficit that Zambia is currently experiencing” due to drought that has damaged its hydroelectric dams and power generation capacity.

According to the Mozambican electricity company, an addendum was signed in Lusaka at the time to a contract with ZESCO concluded a year ago in Luanda for the purchase and sale of electricity to the neighboring country, increased from the initially agreed upon 50 MW. 90 MW is “reliable” and “valid during empty hours.”

Marcelino Hildo Alberto said that “in the medium term, a 400 kV transmission line should be implemented between Mozambique and Zambia, an infrastructure that is part of “a list of priority projects to improve the direct commercial exchange of energy in large quantities between the two countries.” and also for the SAPP (South African Power Pool) market.

EDM adds that this connection between Mozambique and Zambia will allow about 2,000 MW of electricity to be exchanged “rapidly” into the regional market starting in 2030, benefiting Zambia in particular “where demand for electricity is growing exponentially, especially in the mining sector.” industry.”