Cuamba Solar And Energy Storage Plant Begins Commercial Operations: A 19 MWp Powerhouse By Globeleq, Source Energia, And EDM Illuminates Mozambique

Globeleq, a prominent independent power company in Africa, along with project partners Source Energia and Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), is delighted to announce the official commencement of commercial operations at the Cuamba Solar PV and energy storage plant. EDM, the Mozambican national power utility, confirmed the commencement of operations on September 12, 2023, marking a pivotal moment in Mozambique’s renewable energy journey.

In a ceremony held on September 14, 2020, His Excellency Filipe Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique, joined by Hon. Carlos Zacarias, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, and other distinguished guests, officially inaugurated the Cuamba Solar plant. This facility is the first of its kind in Mozambique, combining utility-scale solar power with energy storage capabilities.

The Cuamba Solar plant, with an investment of US$36 million, represents Globeleq’s maiden greenfield project in Mozambique and its first integrated solar and storage installation in the operating portfolio. The facility operates under a 25-year power purchase agreement with EDM, delivering clean energy to approximately 22,000 Mozambican households. Over the project’s lifespan, it is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by displacing over 172,000 tonnes. The upgrade of the existing Cuamba substation ensures seamless integration of variable solar energy into the grid.

The Cuamba project received financing from The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, a member of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), which contributed US$19 million in debt funding. PIDG’s Viability Gap Funding grant facility provided an additional US$7 million to support an affordable tariff, essential grid upgrades, and the implementation of an energy storage system for EDM. BII Plus, the technical assistance facility of British International Investment, offered a grant of US$1 million towards the battery energy storage system.

President Filipe Nyusi, at the inauguration event, expressed the significance of the Cuamba solar and storage plant, emphasizing its role in enhancing energy security and stability in the region. He praised the collaboration between Globeleq, Source Energia, and EDM as a public-private partnership that reflects the confidence of international investors in Mozambique’s energy sector.

Hon. Carlos Zacarias, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, highlighted the project’s contribution to increasing energy availability through both public and private investments. This aligns with the government’s strategic objectives and the Five-Year Programme, fostering industrialization, job creation, and an energy transition.

Mike Scholey, CEO of Globeleq, expressed his excitement about Cuamba Solar contributing to the Mozambican grid, supporting the local economy, and the government’s renewable energy initiatives. Globeleq’s commitment extends to other projects in Mozambique, including the Mocuba solar PV plant and the Temane gas-to-power project, currently under construction.

Pedro Coutinho, CEO of Source Energia, expressed satisfaction in supporting Mozambique’s energy sector’s growth and thanked project partners and funders for their dedication during the development and construction phases.

EDM’s Chairman, Marcelino Gildo Alberto, emphasized the project’s role in providing sustainable and accessible energy solutions in line with the government’s Five-Year Plan, which targets the introduction of 200MW of renewable energies and aligns with global efforts to combat climate change.

The Cuamba Solar and Energy Storage Plant stands as a testament to the commitment of stakeholders in accelerating Mozambique’s transition to sustainable and accessible energy solutions, marking a significant milestone in the country’s renewable energy landscape.