The Sri Lanka High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Mozambique Chamber of Commerce, organized the second (technical level) meeting between management and experts of the Ministry of Mineral Resources & Energy of Mozambique and FUNAE (Fundo de Energia or Energy Fund), and experts from the Sri Lankan renewable energy (hydropower, solar and wind) supplier organizations on 8 July 2022. This meeting is a sequel to the first management level meeting held on 10 May 2022 between Mozambique and Sri Lankan organizations.
Deputy National Director of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy Marcelina Mataveia explained the new Electricity Law passed in Mozambique in 2022 reaffirming attention on renewable energy and private sector access to off grid energy supply. She stated that necessary legal documents were being drafted and made a slide presentation on “Sustainable Energy Project Opportunities in Mozambique” showing the 2020-2024 plan to create 600 mw of power of which 200 mw would be from renewable sources. The national target for universal access is 60% on grid and 30% through off grid systems.
Presentations from the Sri Lanka side were made by President of the Small Hydropower Association Thusitha Peris, Secretary of the Wind Power Association Manjula Perera, Lasith Wimalasena of the Solar Association and Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Authority Ranjith Sepala. The presentations focused on hydro, wind and solar power projects operational in Sri Lanka, projects set up in other African countries (Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Kenya), and the availability of support from Sri Lankan facilities and transformer construction sectors. The Mozambique participants were introduced to Sri Lankan renewable energy supplier companies which are capable of supplying Mozambique with engineering expertise and technical know-how.
The Sri Lankan companies requested information on the Mozambique National Energy Plan; resource maps; energy distribution network; local and external finances available, land availability and allocation policies, availability of one-stop-shop type coordination to acquire multiple approvals; other business friendly measures; tariff structures pegged to the US dollar; and double taxation relief. The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy and FUNAE expert team provided answers and detailed resource maps, network maps, and contacts for other governmental agencies that can provide further information.
The Mozambique side agreed to facilitate a visit by Sri Lankan renewable energy companies to meet key governmental and private sector organizations in Mozambique at the request of the Sri Lankan team.
The High Commissioner of Sri lanka in Pretoria Prof. Gamini Gunawardane thanked Director EDB Indumini Kodikara,, Assistant Director of EDB Kumudini Irugalbandara, Second Secretary – Commerce of the Embassy Sanjeewa Banadara and member of Mozambique Chamber of Commerce Hippolito Hamela for their hard work in organizing these series of meetings. He also expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy and FUNAI experts and the Sri Lankan experts for their participation and professional presentations that enabled the parties to address key technical issues which would provide opportunities for Sri Lankan companies to participate in renewable energy projects in Mozambique.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka.
