- A 40Mw solar Pv project was penned this week between the Mozambican Government and French IPP, Neonen.
- The French Development Agency (AFD) has financed the project, with Neonen holding 75 per cent of the plant while EDM holds the remaining 25 per cent.
- Apart from providing electricity to 150000 local residents, the plant will also support the Ancuabe and Balama graphite mines and the Moma heavy sand extraction project.
Earlier this week, Mozambique’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Max Tonela, Electricidade de Moçambique’s (EDM), Carlos Yum and Mr Cyril Perrin – Director of Neoen in Mozambique signed an agreement whereby the French independent power producer will build a 40Mw solar power plant north of the country capable of serving 150,000 people.
The new solar Pv plant will cost around 50 million euros and will be located in Metoro, Cabo Delgado Province. Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2019 “The Mozambican government considers this project a priority, ensuring greater security and reliability in the country’s energy supply,” said Tonela, adding that “during the construction phase, the project will create 380 jobs”.
Mr Cyril Perrin, director of Neoen in Mozambique, welcomed the work done with the government and local communities since 2015. The plant will also support the Ancuabe and Balama graphite mines and the Moma heavy sand extraction project.
The French Development Agency (AFD) has financed the project, with Neonen holding 75 per cent of the plant while EDM holds the remaining 25 per cent. The contract signed on Monday provides for a concession of the state to the new company for 30 years.
The gas rich Cabo Delgado Province in Northern Mozambique has recently come under al-Shabaab style attacks. The attacks have been carried out by a Muslim militant group called Ansar al-Sunna, although locals refer to them as al-Shabaab because the group’s attacks are similar to the notorious group in Nigeria.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
