Mozambique joined its neighbouring countries by putting in place the Regulation for Off-Grid Energy Access – a regulatory framework that will provide greater clarity to all actors in the off-grid energy sector.
The Government of Mozambique approved yesterday, in the Council of Ministers, by Decree, the Regulation for Off-Grid Energy Access. This regulation results from a Government effort recognising the importance of the sector to catalyse rural socio-economic development, leveraging private sector investment and improving the conditions of millions of people.
The regulatory framework will provide greater clarity to all actors in the off-grid energy sector. It will also ensure the necessary conditions for the private sector to develop its activities and protect its investments in a diverse set of technologies applicable to the off-grid context, such as solar home systems, minigrids and improved cooking solutions.
The BRILHO Programme, funded by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, expresses its gratitude for the trust placed through this partnership by the Government of Mozambique. BRILHO is grateful for having been an integral part of the process to develop this new Regulation, from its initial conception to operationalization.
Approval of off-grid energy regulation a big step for the sector
The BRILHO Programme is mandated to catalyse energy access through solar home systems, green minigrids and improved cooking solutions with the aim to benefit 1.5 million Mozambicans and 15,000 small businesses until 2024.
The approval of this regulation represents a big step for the sector and is reflected in several positive reactions, demonstrating high expectations from the different key stakeholders in the sector.
António Osvaldo Saíde, FUNAE’s CEO, said: “The regulation for off-grid energy is the leverage for the entry of strategic partners, the private sector, as it clarifies the rules of the game in the development of this unequivocal path for the achievement of universal access in 2030.”
Saíde went on to explain that the government’s vision and actions to create an enabling environment for the private sector investments demonstrates its commitment to transformation and social inclusion which consequently promotes economic inclusion in remote areas.
Private Sector Development Adviser at BHC Maputo, Sergio Dista, commented: “Our financial and technical support to the Government of Mozambique through BRILHO programme forms part of the UK Energy Africa campaign. The approval of this regulation is one step ahead to accelerate the expansion of off-grid energy markets in Mozambique and it will help to achieve universal energy access by 2030″.
According to the president of the Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA) and CEO of RVE.SOL, Vivian Vendeirinho, ”The new regulation allows for Decentralized Renewable Energy providers to build minigrid systems that will provide reliable, sustainable and affordable electricity to underserved rural communities in Mozambique. This will anchor their socio-economic development opportunities, so they are not left behind as the economy of the country evolves and grows. The end result will be the empowerment of rural communities, more jobs and trading opportunities for Mozambique”.
Team Leader of the BRILHO Programme and Energy Sector Leader for SNV Mozambique, Javier Ayala commented: “This represents a major achievement for the off-grid sector in Mozambique. It will contribute to accelerating and increasing access to energy through solar home systems and green mini-grids for electrification, and clean cooking solutions, benefiting households and businesses with a greener, more inclusive and sustainable economy. The required regulatory conditions are now provided for the businesses to initiate and scale up their operations in Mozambique’s off-grid energy market; the BRILHO Programme is ready and available to provide the financial and technical support for their implementation”.
The Decree will be accompanied by specific regulations that will provide Mozambique with a complete regulatory framework, which will act as an anchor for the growth and sustainable development of the off-grid energy sector.
Author: Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl
Nicolette is the editor of ESI Africa. She takes a keen interest in the trends shaping the power & water utility market in Africa along with the projects and local innovations making headline news. This article was originally published on ESI Africa and is republished with permission with minor editorial changes.
