Mozambique's Energy Regulatory Authority (ARENE) pointed to the lack of specific regulations as one of the factors preventing mass investment in off-grid energy production.

According to the Chairman of the Board, Paulo da Graça, in order to fill this gap, the government approved a decree last year on access to energy in off-grid areas. Eight complementary resolutions are now being drafted and should be completed by the end of this year.

Graça said that the approval of these legal instruments will encourage energy production to guarantee universal access to this resource by 2030, which will have a positive impact on the country's socio-economic development.

"After a study, the government found a lack of regulation for people interested in carrying out this activity," said Graça, speaking this Wednesday in Maputo during the First Regional Conference on the Regulatory Framework for Off-Grid Energy.

"So in 2021 the government approved a general regulation, and this process involves eight sets of complementary regulations. We believe that by the end of the year, we will have all these documents completed," he predicted.

The two-day event brings together more than 50 speakers from Africa, Europe and America. Europe and America, including members of the Regional Association of Energy Regulators of Southern Africa (RAERESA), experts, financial agencies and various other players in the off-grid energy access sector.

The panelists are expected to present, discuss and recommend viable solutions that contribute to the goal of universal access to efficient and clean energy sources by 2030. The conference was co-organized by the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV), with funding from the British and Swedish governments. (CoM)