The exploitation of natural gas in the Rovuma basin, in Cabo Delgado province, may help countries in the Southern African region in the process of replacing coal consumption with more environmentally friendly fuels.

This position was recently defended by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Max Tonela, adding that in the region 60% of energy consumed is based on coal and that, in this context, Mozambique gas will play an important role in reversing this scenario.

According to projections from the International Energy Agency, global energy demand will continue to grow over the next 40 years.

For Max Tonela, as part of the international commitment on decarbonization, there may be an increase in the consumption of natural gas on a global level in the near future.

"Because it is the fuel that, among fossil fuels, is the least polluting, we will also see an increase in renewable energy, which, unfortunately, still remains a non-firm intermittent source," said Max Tonela.

According to the source, Mozambique is a country with high gas reserves, which is used both for national development as well as to contribute to the overall reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

The ruler added that the "Executive" has decided to embark on a process of decarbonizing the gas (reducing carbon dioxide levels) using appropriate technology.

It should be recalled that the Development Plan for the Golfinho/Atum Field in Area 1 aims at the installation of a plant with two onshore natural gas liquefaction modules, in Afungi, district of Palma, Cabo Delgado province, with a production capacity of 5.99 million tons per year (five point ninety-nine MTPA) for each module, during the 25 years of its useful life.

The fuel to be produced in that unit will be commercialized in the international market and domestically to leverage the national economy.