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Mozambique Low-Carbon Electricity Generation per Capita

Background Information on Low-Carbon Electricity Generation per Capita in Mozambique

Mozambique,  has been focusing on developing its energy sector with an emphasis on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. Electricity generation per capita from low-carbon sources is a key metric that reflects the country's efforts towards achieving a greener and more sustainable energy system. Below is a detailed background to help understand this topic:

1. Understanding Low-Carbon Electricity

Low-carbon electricity generation encompasses energy sources that produce minimal to no carbon dioxide emissions during operation. In Mozambique, these sources primarily include:

  • Hydropower: Utilizing the country's vast water resources, particularly the Zambezi River, to generate electricity.
  • Solar Power: Leveraging high solar irradiance levels to produce electricity, especially in the southern and central regions.
  • Wind Power: Harnessing wind energy, mainly along the coastal regions.
  • Biomass: Converting organic material from agriculture and other sources into energy.


2.. Hydropower as a Cornerstone

Hydropower is the dominant source of low-carbon electricity in Mozambique. The Cahora Bassa Dam is a significant contributor to the country's low-carbon electricity generation, with a capacity of 2,075 MW, exporting a substantial quantity of its generated electricity to neighboring countries.

3. Rising Solar Energy Deployment

In recent years, Mozambique has been increasingly investing in solar energy projects to diversify its low-carbon energy mix. Various initiatives have been undertaken to deploy solar panels, both grid-connected and off-grid, to increase access to electricity in rural and remote areas.

4. Policy and Regulatory Environment

The Mozambican government has been proactive in promoting low-carbon energy through several policies and regulatory frameworks. Key among these is the National Energy Strategy (2011), which aims to increase the share of renewable and low-carbon energy sources. The Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFiT) and various incentives for sustainable energy investments underscore the government's commitment to this cause.

5. International Cooperation and Funding

International partnerships and funding have been crucial in advancing Mozambique's low-carbon energy projects. Organizations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, and various NGOs have provided financial and technical support, enabling the country to scale up its low-carbon electricity generation capacity.

6. Challenges and Opportunities

Mozambique faces several challenges in enhancing its low-carbon electricity generation per capita, including infrastructural deficits, financial constraints, and insufficient technical expertise. However, these challenges present opportunities for investment, international cooperation, and capacity building, creating a pathway for sustainable development.

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Chart: Low-Carbon Electricity Generation per Capita

Chart for comparison:

The most relevant charts for Mozambique's energy sector

Covering aspects from production and consumption to renewable energy integration, environmental impacts, and economic factors. 

Production and Consumption:

  1. Gas Production (2016):Provides an understanding of Mozambique's natural gas production capacity, essential for grasping the role of gas in the energy mix. 
  1. Electricity Generation (2022): Provides an overview of total electricity generation, helping to understand the scale of energy production in the country.
  1. Electricity Generation from Fossil Fuels (2022): Highlights the dependency on fossil fuels for electricity generation and its implications for energy sustainability.


Renewable Energy and Sustainability:

  1. Hydropower Generation (2022): Important for understanding the role of hydroelectric power in Mozambique's energy mix, showcasing a significant renewable resource.
  1. Installed Solar Energy Capacity (2022): Displays the capacity of solar energy infrastructure, illustrating the level of investment and reliance on solar energy.
  1. Electricity Generation from Renewables (2022): Reflects the contribution of renewable sources to electricity production, essential for assessing the shift towards sustainable energy solutions.
  1. Low-Carbon Electricity Generation per Capita (2022): Provides data on the availability of low-carbon electricity per person, signaling the country's commitment to reducing carbon emissions.


Environmental Impact:

  1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions (2022): Essential for evaluating the overall environmental impact of the energy sector and its sustainability.
  1. Per Capita CO2 Emissions (2022): Offers a measure of the population's carbon footprint from energy consumption, important for environmental impact assessments.
  1. Carbon Intensity of Electricity Generation (2022): Measures the carbon emissions per unit of electricity generated, vital for understanding the efficiency and environmental impact of the energy sector.


Economic Aspects and Policy:

  1. Energy Intensity (2021):  Measures the energy efficiency of the economy by showing the amount of energy used per unit of GDP, critical for policy-making and economic planning.
  1. Net Electricity Imports (2022): Indicates Mozambique's reliance on imported electricity, affecting energy security and policy decisions.