MOZAMBIQUE – Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi has been selected as Africa Oil & Power’s “Person of the Year” for 2020 by Africa Oil & Power.

 The prestigious award is presented to exceptional individuals who display true leadership and innovative thinking in steering their countries or organisations to the forefront of the global energy sector.

President Nyusi has been at the helm of Mozambique’s energy sector during its many recent successes, including several multi-billion gas projects which are now in development in the Southern African country.

 These natural gas projects once fully actualised, represent more than three times the country’s current GDP with the Exxon-led Rovuma LNG project valued at $23.9 billion; Total-led gas project valued at $23 billion and the $4.7 billion Coral FLNG project which is expected to reach first gas in 2022.

“H.E. Filipe Nyusi has led the charge in creating an enabling environment in the energy industry and the broader economy that paved the way for extraordinary energy deals which Mozambique currently enjoys,” said Jude Kearney, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Service Industries and Finance at the US Department of Commerce during the Clinton Administration and currently President of Kearney Africa Advisors. “I can think of no better individual in Africa’s energy space on whom to bestow this award. Mozambique has a bright future ahead as international gas projects drive new growth, job creation, economic development and prosperity,” added Kearney.

Not only has President Nyusi been instrumental in the deals coming through, he has also helped drive a focus on national capacity building and has made sure the projects set aside natural gas for domestic use, setting the country on a path towards economic diversification and energy security.

“H.E. President Filipe Nyusi has taken Mozambique from a place of relative obscurity in the energy markets to a place of leadership in the global natural gas industry,” said Renée Montez-Avinir, Managing Director of AOP.

“His leadership has been instrumental in bringing these mega natural gas projects to fruition, providing vital investment security to close several multi-billion-dollar deals. There is no doubt, the natural gas projects will transform Mozambique, bringing progress and prosperity to the entire country and placing Mozambique at the forefront of a global natural gas revolution,” added Montez-Avinir.

To continue the push for more energy exploration and supply, Mozambique government has launched an international public tender for the award of four renewable energy projects with expected investments of €200 million, the Minstry of Energy and Mineral Resources said in a statement.

In the note, the ministry said that three solar farms will be auctioned in the districts of Dondo, Sofala and \ Manje, Tete provinces, in central Mozambique, Lichinga district, Niassa province, north, and a wind farm in Inhambane province, south.

The four projects will have a production capacity of 40 megawatts each.

“These initiatives are part of the Promotion of Renewable Energy Auctions [Proler], which serves as a mechanism for bidding for projects in this area, thus contributing to a greater capacity to generate renewable energy resources at low cost for the benefit of the end consumer,” the statement said.

The project counts with a financial aid of €37 million from the European Union in partnership with the French Development Agency.

The initiative aims to promote alternative sources of quality and low-cost energy, ensuring a greater contribution of renewable energies in the energy transition and electrification of the entire country.

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