Funding of 131 million US dollars from the World Bank (WB) has been approved for the ASCENT Project, which aims to accelerate the Transformation of Access to Clean and Sustainable Energy in the country.

The announcement was made this Saturday, April 12, by the company Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), in a statement that MZNews had access to.

This project is the 3rd phase of the "Energy for All" Program, with USD 117 million allocated to EDM and the rest to components to be implemented by the National Energy Fund (FUNAE) and the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy (MIREME), according to a statement issued by EDM.

The funds will be provided by the World Bank, through the International Development Association (IDA), in close collaboration with the Government of Mozambique. The approval of the funding marks a significant step forward for the start of preparatory and operational activities.

The ASCENT Project is an initiative of the Mozambican government to accelerate the Universal Access to Electricity program by 2030.

This project marks the start of the Program's third phase, with the management of the funds allocated for the connection of 146,000 customers under EDM's responsibility. To make these connections possible, the following infrastructures will have to be built: 3,300 km of low voltage network, 2,200 km of medium voltage network and the installation of 2,200 transformers.

In the initial phase, approximately 146,000 new consumers are expected to be connected to the national electricity grid, covering the provinces of Maputo, Sofala, Manica, Tete, Zambézia and Nampula.

Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) is the government's business arm in the energy sector. It was created on August 27, 1977, and is responsible for the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity.

Its mission is to electrify Mozambique with quality energy and contribute to the transformation and modernization of the country, one of the main challenges being to achieve the goal of universal access to energy by 2030.

This funding will accelerate ongoing initiatives to guarantee universal access to electricity by 2030, directly benefiting around 700,000 people.

The financing period covers the years 2025 to 2030, with the physical implementation of the works scheduled to begin in 2026, once all the contracting processes have been completed and the first materials have been received.

The programme aims to ensure universal access to sustainable energy, promoting industrialization and economic and social development in Mozambique.

The WB's support is fundamental to achieving these goals, providing the necessary infrastructure for the expansion and modernization of the country's electricity grid.