Mozambique launches construction of $1bn power plant, transmission line

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi. Image: Sputnik/Alexey Nikolsky/Kremlin via Reuters

The World Bank is one of the financing partners of the infrastructure projects, alongside the United States, Norway, African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Bank and The Opec Fund for International Development, according statements from the World Bank and the US embassy.

"Today we mark a milestone in the framework of this endeavour to illuminate Mozambique. Our governance aspires that more than 10 million Mozambicans will have access to electricity for the first time in their homes by 2024," Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said at the launch of the project.

Upon completion, the gas-to-power Temane Thermal Power Plant will have a capacity of 450 megawatts.

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Transformative project for Mozambique

"Today, we are witnessing the exceptional beginning of a vision that aims to provide energy for all Mozambicans: this is a transformative project for the country," the representative of the World Bank in Mozambique, Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, said during the launch.

US ambassador to Mozambique Dennis Hearne said the United States was supporting the Temane project through a $200m direct loan for its construction via the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

"In addition, thanks to the support of the US government's signature Power Africa programme, we are providing a 'transaction advisor' assigned to EDM (Mozambique power utility Eletricidade de Moçambique) to help bring the critical Temane Transmission Line Project to financial close," said Hearne.