Sustainable Energy for Rural Communities

Despite the richness of resources in Mozambique, 80% of its population does not have access to modern forms of energy. This is because energy is exported to neighbouring countries for revenue generation. Recently, the country’s National Utility undertook an electrification programme but was unsuccessful in implementing isolated/mini grids in rural areas.

Since 2009, a company is pioneering the use of wind power for rural communities, schools, and small enterprises along the ‘wind-strong’ inland, coastal, and island regions. The goal is to introduce an affordable source of renewable energy through the provision of locally-built wind turbines. Focus is placed on capacity building so that local communities can generate income from the manufacture, installation, and maintenance of the turbines.

An ERM consultant has offered pro-bono support for this venture to evaluate the project and provide recommendations. We assessed the viability of the project, and explored how wind energy could be used not only for electricity production but also for other uses such as water pumping. In a very short time, the initiative has successfully constructed a 350 W and 1,000 W micro-wind turbine, and set up various wind awareness and training workshops. Today it hopes to implement a pilot mini-grid in a community of Mozambique, using locally manufactured wind turbines and a local workforce. If the pilot proves successful, the model can be replicated in other regions of Africa experiencing similar problems.