The recently signed partnership between the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and Ignite Power aims to accelerate electrification in Mozambique through the installation of solar home systems in areas not covered by the national electricity grid. Ignite Power, which supplies its equipment to other East African countries, is committed to installing 300,000 over the next few years.
The Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates-based solar home system provider will certainly not have much trouble meeting its specifications as it already has some experience in the country. The company has in fact been operating in Mozambique since 2019 under the Energy For All programme and claims to have electrified 100,000 people. The partnership with SNV is part of the Brilho programme.
British and Swedish co-financing
This programme launched in Mozambique in 2019 aims to support the authorities’ ambition of universal access to clean energy by 2030. But currently, around 70% of Mozambique’s population, or more than 21 million people, still live without access to electricity, according to SNV. In addition to providing access to electricity, the Brilho programme is also distributing clean cooking systems and installing solar-powered mini-grids.
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“Brilho’s mandate is to create an ecosystem in the off-grid energy sector in Mozambique by accelerating access to affordable energy solutions through innovative business initiatives and by providing a diverse range of products and services to households. Brilho is helping the Mozambican government to create a more enabling environment, encouraging private investment to create a sustainable market in Mozambique,” explains Bernie Chaves, SNV’s Country Manager in Mozambique.
The Brilho programme is funded by the United Kingdom Aid-Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Ukaid-FCDO) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and implemented by SNV. The five-year programme is expected to provide access to clean energy for 1.5 million people and 15,000 businesses, thanks to the mobilisation of £20 million (nearly $24 million) in private funding.
Jean Marie Takouleu