Maputo, Mozambique, 2 Aug – The Mozambican authorities have laid the first stone of a solar panel factory in the Beluluane Industrial Park, an investment of US$10 million, according to a report in Mozambican newspaper Notícias.

With this joint Indian and Mozambican investment Mozambique could soon be producing photovoltaic systems (solar panels), thus contributing to the reduction of high costs involved in importing this equipment.

Mozambique’s energy minister, Salvador Namburete said that the value of the investment of US$10 million had been estimated two years ago and that new costing would have to be carried out by the National Energy Fund (FUNAE).

The materials will be imported from India initially but at a later date the factory will use components that are made in Mozambique.

Mozambique imports solar panels, which are used to provide electricity to public buildings such as schools and hospitals, or to power boreholes, which are not linked to the national power grid.

According to official figures, access to energy sources has doubled in Mozambique over the last five years, rising from 7 percent coverage in 2004 to 14 percent currently. (macauhub)