EU promotes Sustainable Energy in Mozambique

The Mozambique EU Delegation has been preparing activities to promote Sustainable Energy in the country, namely the preparation of Sustainable Energy Action Plans and a Sustainable Energy Joint Declaration.

Sustainable Energy Action Plan for Zambezia and Nampula Provinces in Mozambique

The EU-Mozambique National Indicative Program (NIP), covering the period 2014-2020, targets two focal sectors: i) general budget support through a good governance and development contract, and ii) rural development through classic project approach. Supportive actions for the rural development focal sector will have a geographical focus in the provinces of Nampula and Zambezia and will be based in 4 pillars, one of which is increasing access to energy.

With this in mind, the EU has mobilized a Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) to draft a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) for Zambezia and Nampula.

The objective of the assignment is to assist the provincial authorities to increase the access to sustainable and affordable energy, by setting an overall strategy, achievable targets, measurable indicators, and a realistic financial plan. The TAF will also include the identification of projects and actions to be funded under the EU-MOZ's 11th EDF, and/or under other programs, aiming to deliver rapid and high impact results in line with the Government of Mozambique and the EU policies.

The implementation of the TAF will imply 3 missions of the experts do Mozambique and include the organization of two Stakeholders meetings – matchmaking, two stakeholders dialogues and three half day workshops in provinces. Besides the Energy Sustainable Action Plan for each province, deliverables of the TAF also include a priority projects list and 3 pre-feasibility studies.

Sustainable Energy Joint Declaration

The EU Delegation is also promoting the signature of a Joint Declaration (JD) on Sustainable Energy with the Government of Mozambique.

The purpose of this JD is to reinforce cooperation between the EU, its Member States and Mozambique viewing the increase of access to sustainable energy, the generation of reliable electricity at an effective cost, the supply of modern renewable energy services at affordable prices and the improvement of energy efficiency.

So far 14 Member States plus Norway have shown interest in signing the declaration, undertaking to provide technical assistance, support projects and a rural electrification plan and promote the participation of the private sector.

On Mozambique's side, the Government is expected to take an active role in dialogue and promotion, set priorities concerning the implementation of legislative and regulatory reforms, promote sustainable energy technologies and solutions and also regional cooperation for sustainable energy within the SADC.

The Declaration, which is non-binding, is expected to be signed soon.

Other activities

The EU has also supported other initiatives for the development of renewable energy in Mozambique, including financing the development of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiecy Strategy and Action Plan for SADC (more info here) and promoted the contact with the Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP ) under the EU-Africa Energy Partnership (AEEP) that will support the Government in developing the regulatory framework in key areas.

For more detailed information on these and other activities for the promotion of renewable energy in Mozambique check ALER's national status report.

Framework

The EU's commitment with the SE4All initiative, the SDGs and the COP21's agreement has already, and will have, a big impact in its development and international cooperation policy and supported actions. The EU supports the SE4All objectives and places a strong emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa where the needs are the greatest, and has created a EUR 80 million Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) to support developing countries which are committed to reach the SE4All objectives and to significantly scale up investment in the energy sector. Mozambique agreed to join the SE4All initiative on the 24th of May 2013.

SE4All is consistent with the EU's new development policy Agenda for Change that sets energy as a key driver for inclusive growth. Actions on renewable energy and energy efficiency are also in line with the EU policy on climate change. Furthermore, the EU Commission has placed energy at the forefront of its development agenda with the former EU Commission President, Mr. Barroso, pledge to provide access in developing countries to sustainable energy services to 500 million people by 2030 through the so called EU's "Energizing Development" goal.