Mozambique invites bidders for two 30MW solar power plants

The Government of Mozambique, through its renewable energy programme, Programa de Promoção de Leilões de Energias Renováveis (Promotion of Renewable Energy Auction Programme or PROLER) is inviting independent power producers to submit bids for the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of two 30 MW solar plants in the Northern and West-Central regions of the country.

The country recently published a tender via the Energy Regulatory Authority (ARENE). One of the 30MWac plants should be located in Manje, in the Province of Tete, and the other one should be located in Chimbunila, in the Province of Niassa.

Applications must be submitted in a sealed envelope before 17th January 2023 at 10:00 am (Maputo time). The preferred bidders will be selected through a competitive tender process conducted by ARENE.

Mozambique recently received funds from the European Union (EU) through Agence Française de Développement (French Development Agency) to support the PROLER Program which aims at selecting Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for solar photovoltaic and wind projects with a total capacity of around 120 MW.

The Southern African country is looking to increase its power generation capacity, and to diversify its energy sources. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Mozambique had an installed solar energy capacity of 55MW by the end of 2021.

Mozambique has a pipeline of large-scale renewable energy projects currently under construction, including solar, floating-solar, and its first energy energy project. The Southern African country also has significant hydropower generation potential, and has some planned hydropower projects it is looking to construct.