Maputo, June 18, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique carried out more than 75,000 new connections to the electricity grid in the first three months of 2026, out of an annual target of 420,000, according to government data accessed by Lusa on Thursday.
According to the sector’s first-quarter performance report, 44,743 new connections were made to the National Electricity Grid (REN) during this period, to which a further 30,668 connections were added to independent systems powered by solar and mini-hydro plants, bringing the total number of new consumers to 669,718.
The chairman of Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) previously told Lusa that the state-owned company plans to invest US$82 million (€70.7 million) in 2026, with at least 420,000 new connections by the end of the year.
According to Joaquim Ou-chim, this is the fund available for investment by the state-owned electricity company this year, of which around US$70 million (€60.4 million) comes from the ProEnergia Project, financed by the World Bank, and the remaining US$12 million (€10.3 million) from EDM’s own funds.
The Mozambican electricity company aims to continue accelerating universal access to energy this year, with plans to install 420,000 new connections by the end of 2026, benefiting around two million people.
“This effort forms part of our strategic commitment to achieving 100% access to electricity by 2030, through the expansion of the National Electricity Grid, the implementation of off-grid solutions and the strengthening of existing infrastructure, ensuring greater energy inclusion,” said Joaquim Ou-chim in March.
He acknowledged that the target of universal energy access by 2030 “is ambitious and challenging”, with the company noting that it is making “significant progress”, with the electrification rate currently standing at 66.4%, supported by a “robust expansion plan” that envisages connecting hundreds of thousands of new households each year.
“Structural programmes are underway, including the strengthening of the transmission and distribution network, as well as the implementation of off-grid solutions to accelerate access to energy. However, meeting the target will depend on various factors, including the continued mobilisation of funding, macroeconomic stability, the capacity to execute projects and the mitigation of risks, such as extreme weather events,” said Joaquim Ou-chim.
With regard to the company’s projects for this year, the state-owned firm aims to press ahead with electricity distribution by accelerating the implementation of phase II of the ‘Energy for All – ProEnergia’ programme, under which it has already installed 1,123 kilometres (km) of medium-voltage network, out of a target of 2,545 km, and deployed 1,907 km of low-voltage network, out of a target of 3,299 km, installed 1,401 transformer substations out of a planned total of 2,831, and established 477,100 new connections compared to the 541,365 planned.
In the area of power transmission, EDM is pressing ahead with the modernisation of high- and medium-voltage infrastructure, including strategic power lines and substations, to improve power transmission and reduce “operational constraints”.
PVJ/AYLS // AYLS
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