ZAMBIA, MOZAMBIQUE TAKE STEP TOWARDS ELECTRICITY NETWORK INTERCONNECTION
ZESCO Limited and Electricidade De Mozambique (EDM) of Mozambique have today signed an Inter-Utility Memorandum of Understanding (IUMOU) to pave the way for the development of the Mozambique-Zambia Interconnector (MOZA).
The transnational transmission line will directly connect the two countries and increase the transmission capacity within the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
The agreement aligns with Zambia’s Vision 2030 of achieving universal access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy at the lowest economic, financial, and environmental cost consistent with the National Development Goals.
Speaking after the official signing ceremony at the Garden Court Hotel in Kitwe during the ongoing Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference, ZESCO Managing Director, Eng. Justin Loongo said:
“This MoU underscores our shared commitment to energy sufficiency and security for our countries and region as a foundation for sustainable growth. As we seek to further integrate our markets and increase trade within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), electricity must be core to that integration and cooperation. Today, we take a step towards linking the electricity systems of Zambia and Mozambique, whose benefits will accrue beyond the two countries’ boarders.”
Eng. Loongo stated that the Mozambique-Zambia Interconnector is a strategic project designed to increase transmission capacity within the SAPP and enable higher volumes of electricity trade in SADC, particularly between the connecting countries.
“Our respective governments recognised the need for coordination in developing projects with shared interests, culminating into the Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding (IGMOU) signed in 2016 to enhance collaboration in the development of the interconnector we are signing today. Pursuant to the IGMOU, ZESCO Limited and EDM signed an Inter-Utility MoU to actualise the interconnector and other projects that may fall within the ambit.”
The two agreements lapsed but both have been renewed today.
The Mozambique-Zambia Interconnector project will involve the construction of the 375km of 400kV transmission lines from Matambo in Tete Province of Mozambique to Chipata in the Eastern Province of Zambia at an estimated cost of USD411.5 million, with the Zambian component accounting for USD132.4 million.