Electricity in Mozambique in 2022

Mozambique's electricity consumption in 2022 was significantly skewed towards low-carbon sources, with hydropower generating around 15.5 TWh, which translates to more than 80% of its total electricity generation. In contrast, fossil fuels, primarily gas, contributed around 3.3 TWh. When comparing Mozambique's per capita electricity consumption to the global average of 432 watts per person, it is evident that Mozambique is far below this mark. Lower levels of electricity generation can severely limit economic growth, access to modern amenities, and overall quality of life for its citizens. Moreover, relying on fossil energy, though relatively minimal, does contribute to climate change and air pollution, which can exacerbate health issues and environmental degradation.

Suggestions

To boost its clean electricity generation, Mozambique can learn from the successful implementation of low-carbon technologies by other countries. For instance, China has made impressive advancements in wind power, generating 886 TWh, and solar power, with 584 TWh. Similarly, Brazil has effectively utilized wind power, generating 96 TWh. These examples demonstrate the potential for Mozambique to harness its natural resources better. Furthermore, countries like the United States and France have shown the significant role that nuclear power can play by generating 775 TWh and 336 TWh respectively. By investing in wind, solar, and potential nuclear energy projects, Mozambique could greatly enhance its power generation capacity while minimizing its environmental impact.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Mozambique primarily revolves around hydropower, with notable fluctuations. In the early 1980s, there were significant declines, such as the 9.7 TWh drop in 1981 and a 4.4 TWh decline in 1984. However, the end of the 1990s saw substantial increases, with a notable 5.9 TWh rise in 1998 and continued growth through the early 2000s, including a consistent yearly increase from 1999 to 2001. Sporadic gains and declines characterize the subsequent years, like the drop by 1.8 TWh in 2003, the 1.8 TWh increase in 2009, and another decline by 1.6 TWh in 2012. In the mid-2010s, hydropower generation saw minor yearly fluctuations but remained relatively stable. Nonetheless, there is a clear trend indicating that while hydropower continues to be dominant, Mozambique must consider diversifying its clean energy portfolio to mitigate the effects of these fluctuations.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources