MAPUTO, Mozambique, (PNA/Bernama) — The first solar panel factory in Mozambique is to begin production in November, Mozambican news agency reported.
The factory, located in the Beluluane Industrial Park on the outskirts of Maputo, belongs to the National Energy Fund (FUNAE).
Its annual output of panels will be capable of generating five megawatts of electricity.
The construction of the factory began last November under a 13 million US dollar investment program.
According to the Minister of Energy, Salvador Namburete, a group of Mozambican technicians have completed the first phase of training in India. He added, “80 jobs will be created at the factory, of which 70 will be filled by Mozambicans. The others will be taken by Indian and Italian technicians.”
The solar panels will expand the availability of renewable energy in rural areas. The government expects that the commissioning of the plant will lead to a significant drop in the costs to FUNAE of electrifying towns, villages, schools and health units in rural areas.
Namburete argued that although the plant cannot completely meet the country’s needs, within a few years it would have a huge impact on electricity use in remote areas.
He explained that, despite expanding the electricity grid, it will not be possible to cover the whole county. Therefore, “the solar panels will ensure that the country is electrified in good time.”
Currently, 40 per cent of Mozambicans have access to electricity.
In 2004, the rate was only seven per cent.
Of the 128 districts in the country, only 16 are not yet on the grid – six in Niassa province, three in Manica, three in Gaza, two in Cabo Delgado and two in Sofala.
In 2005, only 55 districts were connected to the national grid.