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With a population of over 600 million who lack access to reliable energy, sustainable and clean energy is a major solution to electrification in Africa.
The continent is endowed with immense clean energy sources – hydro, solar, and wind. These resources make the continent a potential location for global renewable energy generation.
About 30 countries on the continent generate more than 70% of their energy from renewable sources, with only about five countries sourcing below 10%, resulting in the continent contributing below 5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
As a matter of fact, studies by the International Renewable Energy Agency suggest that Africa could reach 310 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
As the world explores adapting its energy mix to improve sustainability, Africa has the opportunity to use its renewable energy potential to meet the rising demand for electricity while, at the same time, achieving sustainable development goals.
Some African countries are already making significant progress and one of such countries is Mozambique.
Mozambique uses almost 100% sustainable and clean energy, with hydropower making up a major part of its installed capacity (approx. 81%) and solar, gas, and other sources making up the remaining percentage.
Capable of producing 187 GW of power from hydro, coal, gas, and wind, the southern-African country has the largest power generation potential of all countries across the region.
The 2,075 MW Cahora Bassa hydro dam operated by Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa, the state-owned power utility, is Mozambique’s largest supplier of energy and serves as the most efficient power generating station in Mozambique.
The Cahora Bassa dam is southern Africa’s largest hydroelectric power plant with operations located on the Zambezi River in the country’s Tete Province.
Despite Mozambique’s enormous potential, however, only about 34% of its population has access to reliable electricity and this is a result of the country’s underdeveloped transmission and distribution network.
However, it is projected that natural gas will provide 44% of the country’s total energy generation in the next decade, giving it the opportunity to diversify its energy mix, and provide a larger portion of its population with access to clean energy.