To improve and promote access to modern and renewable energy in Mozambique, BTC cooperates closely with the Mozambican national energy institution (Fundo de Energia - FUNAE) since 2010. In this light, the RERD project (Renewable Energy for Rural Development) was created, focusing on access to energy in rural areas. For this project, a team of international experts conducted a market study to find renewable energy solutions for off-grid communities in rural Mozambique. The study also looked into the potential role FUNAE could play in promoting private sector engagement in the renewable energy market.  According to the study,  one  option lies in creating favourable conditions to privatize renewable energy solutions in off-grid communities, including the sale and maintenance of small solar systems for households and small businesses. The use of these solar systems typically leads to electricity solutions that are safer, lower cost, and cleaner than the alternatives currently used by the rural communities.

In this light, BTC, FUNAE, and its team of consultants conducted a feasibility study in the village of Porto Henrique to assess how much money local residents spend each month on electricity, and what they use it for. Results from the initial questionnaire, which was conducted in February 2017, led to the organisation of a focus group to find out more about the local population’s habits and expectations in terms of electricity use. On 23 March 2017, the focus group assembled a small number of people from different families representing the overall population of the village. The discussions held revealed that most of them currently rely on battery powered torches or gasoline lamps to light up their house at night, and that they charge their phones in the local shop for a small fee with electricity generated by a generator. Light and the charging of cell phones were the primary uses of electricity, and residents of the village spend around 350 Meticais per month on the electricity for these uses. This information was very useful, and helped finalize the market study for potential private investors in the recent weeks. Additionally, in order to find out whether or not local residents would be interested in purchasing a home solar system (to be paid off with a monthly payment plan for 3 years), BTC and its team of consultants demonstrated an easy to install and user friendly home solar system of 50 watts. This device would enable the local population to illuminate their house with three bright LED lights, charge phones, and listen to the radio or watch TV. For those that want a more powerful installation, for example to also run a fridge or freezer, larger solar installations that produce more electricity are available. The solar devices are provided by the Solarworks company, one of the private actor implementers of the pilot projects.

The first impression BTC and the consultants received from the focus group was positive: they were very interested in the different solutions offered, and indicated the willingness to invest in home solar systems. Therefore, BTC and its partners look forward to further implement the pilot projects to provide local populations in rural Mozambique with green energy solutions.