Connecting Mozambique to regional power markets

Mozambique

Aderito Manso de Sousa, general manager of MOTRACO, talks to The Energy Year about the challenges of operating transmission infrastructure in Mozambique and the country’s potential to become a large exporter of electricity to regional markets. MOTRACO is an electricity transmission company owned by Electricidade de Moçambique, the Eswatini Electricity Company and Eskom.

Can you give us an overview of MOTRACO’s objectives and operations?
MOTRACO is a concession whose purpose is to supply electricity to Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), the Eswatini Electricity Company, and the Mozal aluminium smelter in Maputo.
A secondary element of our operations is telecommunications infrastructure. We have point-to-point fibre connections running along our electricity transmission infrastructure to facilitate our operations, and we offer surplus capacity to the general market. A small number of customers use our fibre, but our intention is not to compete in the market. Rather, we aim to collaborate and assist.

What types of companies does MOTRACO typically partner with and how do you support EDM’s transformative programs in Mozambique and regionally?
The MOTRACO model is unique. In Mozambique, we are committed to supporting EDM. If EDM is to transform the Mozambican electricity sector, they need quality transmission services from us. To provide reliable transmission services, we must make sure the infrastructure is operated and maintained to the highest standard.
We outsource most of our services. Some are provided by our shareholders through arm’s length commercial agreements and others are contracted in the general market. We have a long list of suppliers and service providers and our doors are open to new companies.
Most of what we require is tendered on the open market, and we ensure that the tenders are transparent and the bidding is competitive. We aim to get value from the market and pay the right price for the right quality.

What are some of the challenges of operating your infrastructure?
Much of the infrastructure in the country was constructed about 25 years ago and, naturally, it has aged. Our job is to refurbish or replace it, and we have a few projects under way to meet our contractual agreements.
In the Maputo substation, for instance, we are replacing equipment and adding security features, as well as creating additional redundancy. We have structured other projects as well and are in the process of selecting specialist consultants and providers to move on to implementation.

Do you envision Mozambique playing a greater role as an electricity exporter to the region?
We have a strategy towards that and are in alignment with EDM and the government. We have the necessary transmission infrastructure connecting Mozambique to South Africa and Eswatini, and we are ready to use our systems to facilitate exports.
I see a path for Mozambique to broaden its regional reach and export more electricity. The Mphanda Nkuwa Hydropower Project and other initiatives will help that to happen.

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