CONTEXT
Overall, Mozambique shows enormous potential in renewable energies, of more than 23 TW and thousands of possible projects, from small projects of rural electrification to the large hydro plants of the Zambezi river. Of this potential, about 7 GW, that is more than 500 projects, mostly hydropower but also wind, solar, biomass and geothermal, constitute alternative solutions for Mozambique’s electrical system to be considered and possibly integrated into future electricity network expansion plans.
OBJECTIVES
The Renewable Energy Atlas of Mozambique comprised the resource analysis and mapping of the following renewable resources: hydropower potential (large, mini and pico hydro), solar, wind, biomass/MSW, wave energy (offshore and near shore) and geothermal potential.
This project also enabled the study of financial strategies, including CDM – carbon strategy mechanisms.
DESCRIPTION
The Renewable Energy Sources Atlas of Mozambique project consists on the assessment of the following RES (Renewable Energy Sources): wind, waves, geothermal, solar, biomass/MSW and hydro. The evaluation of historical measurement data and statistical information, as the identification of projects and finally the feasibility studies. For each and every resource, the Atlas is its first in the country.
Concerning the hydro resource, this project includes an analysis based both in existing ground-based data and satellite weather and land data. It is expected that the applicability and validation of both methods result in a scientific paper. The Hydro Resource Atlas obtained from the project allowed the identification of more than 800 potential sites for small hydropower development. Mozambique is one of the 40 biggest countries in the world in area (more than 0,8M km2) and the mapping of such an immense territory is a challenge that has been proved successful.
A total of 1690 renewable projects were studied and identified, totaling around 23 TW, of which approximately 7 MW (63 projects) were considered priority (2 wind farms, 10 solar, 6 biomass, 40 mini and small hydro, 1 geothermal).
It also allowed presenting the “Financing and Carbon Strategy” which defines the optimal strategies that enable the development of identified energy projects and maximize the National added value for the State, Business or Citizens.
SUMMARY OF SERVICES
- Assessment of sites for wind and solar measurement campaigns
- Measurement campaigns (35 weather stations placed throughout the country)
- Renewable resources analysis and mapping (wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, biomass and wave energy)
- Identification, characterization and prioritization of projects
- Technical and economic feasibility studies
- Financial strategies studies and definition
- Renewable resources integration studies
- Project finance using clean development mechanisms – CDM