Mozambique’s abundance of resources could catapult it to becoming a leading energy supplier not only in southern Africa, but worldwide as well.According to António Saíde, the country’s deputy minister of mineral resources and energy, while Mozambique’s vast resources in the Rovuma Basin are well known, it is not the only region with resources. Hydro is also becoming an increasingly popular option.“We have vast natural resource potential,” he said, adding that this would be capitalised on domestically to drive Mozambique’s industrialisation and cleaner energy programmes.Speaking at a recent conference, Saíde said the country’s renewable energy resources totalled 23 terawatts and included solar, hydro, wind and biomass.He said exploration projects were ongoing as the country was setting itself up as a serious contributor to Africa’s clean energy transition.“We have been playing our role as providers through power generation and supply projects in the region; through transmission lines and gas infrastructure to South Africa and Zimbabwe; and we are now building the Mozambique-Malawi line, and are preparing one with Zambia. “We will continue working to create synergies that will guarantee access not only to our own population, but that will also contribute to filling the energy deficit in the region and in a global perspective.” Saíde said Mozambique had a reputation for clean energy, having invested in hydropower for decades already. “As we invest more in our gas fields, we see the country contribute to the green energy transition even more as we move to become a leading gas exporter in the world. We have very clear targets in place to meet.”He said the first shipment of the first cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Mozambique’s Coral South Floating LNG terminal was imminent.Once fully operational, the terminal will produce 3.4 million tonnes of LNG per year. All of its output over the next 20 years has been bought by BP.The project is one of three that are set to produce LNG in Mozambique. The other is that of Total in the Ravomua Basin and the Rovuma LNG Project.
