Mozambique Signs First Major Solar Power Deal

Drought-stricken Mozambique will start building its first large scale solar plant in early 2017, after Scatec Solar, which owns several such plants in Africa, signed an $80 million deal to sell electricity to the state-owned energy company for 25 years.

The 40MW plant will deliver power to the national grid and produce energy for some 175,000 households, Oslo-based Scatec Solar said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The project is the first large scale solar plant to be built in the country and represents an important first step in realizing Mozambique's ambition to increase renewable power generation in its energy mix," it said.

Mozambique has been hit by the worst drought in 35 years, which has reduced water levels in its huge Cahora Bassa hydroelectric dam.

http://www.voanews.com/a/drought-hit-mozambique-signs-first-major-solar-power-deal/3574993.html

Alan Levine

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