Cuamba solar photovoltaic plant and energy storage system, Mozambique

30th July 2021 By: Sheila Barradas - Creamer Media Research Coordinator & Senior Deputy Editor

Cuamba solar photovoltaic plant and energy storage system, Mozambique

Image of photovoltaic solar panels on an off the grid electricity installation

Name of the Project
Cuamba solar photovoltaic (PV) plant and energy storage system.

Location
Tetereane district of the City of Cuamba, Niassa province, Mozambique.

Project Owner/s
African independent power company Globeleq and its project partners, Source Energia and Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM).

Project Description
The Cuamba project will contribute to the Mozambique government’s Energy for All strategy, aiming to have universal energy access by 2030.

It will also be the first in the country to integrate a utility-scale energy storage system.

The project entails the construction of a 19 MWp (15 MW ac) solar PV plant and a 2 MW (7 MWh) energy storage system.

The project will include an upgrade to the existing Cuamba substation.

Electricity will be sold through a 25-year power purchase agreement with EDM.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
$32-million.

The project is expected to receive $19-million in debt funding from The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, a member of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG).

The project will also receive a $7-million grant from PIDG’s Viability Gap Funding grant facility and a $1-million grant from CDC Plus to allow for an affordable tariff and the energy storage system.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction started in June 2021.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
TSK (engineering, procurement and construction contractor).

Contact Details for Project Information
Globeleq, Vincent Mulder, email vincent.mulder@globeleq.com.
Source Capital, Pedro Coutinho, email ppcoutinho@source.capital.