The undesirable power position in which Europe finds itself, stuck without gas from Russia because of Ukraine-related sanctions, yet loath to burn coal because of the effect of fossil-fuel emissions on global warming, has a southern solution – Mozambique.
According to the European Union’s ambassador to Maputo, Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar, liquid natural gas (LNG) exploration in Cabo Delgado province tops the list of alternatives for Europe’s power requirements.
In an interview with Portuguese news agency Lusa, the outgoing Spanish diplomat, who will vacate his seat on Friday, said the strategic value of Mozambique’s LNG fields up north couldn’t be more amplified by the conflict in Ukraine.
He said that due to the EU’s stance against Russian gas, the continent had “adopted a new strategy in Europe called ‘Re-Power EU’, which had several elements”.
With regard to gas, the EU was definitely looking at new sources for its preferred power generation, Gaspas said, and Mozambique’s 180-trillion cubic feet of resources made it a highly attractive alternative.
Problem is the threat of insurgency that until last year still risked destabilising petrochemical investments worth $60 billion by Total and ExxonMobil remains, especially given recent terror activities in the districts of Metuge, Mecúfi and Chiure.
However, as the military presence by Rwanda and combined forces of the Southern African Development Community continue to gain ground, insurgent forces appear to have broken up, splitting into ragtag terror outfits as they withdraw into the interior to the west, south-west, and south of Pemba.
Gaspar, however, cautioned against the ongoing military threats of hit-and-run attackers.
“I think that unfortunately the threat will continue in a localised manner. Everything indicates that some of these [rebel] forces are mixed with the population, and also that terrorists from other places are arriving,” he said.
When Gaspar vacates his seat on Friday, his responsibilities will be taken up by Italian ambassador Antonino Maggiore, whom it is hoped shares his enthusiasm for future gas feed from Mozambique.
