BIOMASS HUB

allAfrica.com reports that Mozambican Energy Minster Salvador Namburete stated earlier this week that the government remains committed to mobilizing investments in biofuels.

Namburete noted that heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels has stunted economic growth within the country. He added that oil-importing countries would have had much higher rates of growth over the past decade had it not been for the sharp increases in fuel prices.

To offset these adverse economic conditions, the Minister explains that Mozambique has been promoting the use of renewable energy, including biofuels. Apart from providing alternative energy for industrial investments, biofuels also provided an opportunity to generate income and employment.

Namburete noted:

This situation demands a combined solution of using alternative, renewable sources of energy, and the resort to low cost technologies which will ensure that more people have access to energy, and will reduce dependence on oil…Our determination to advance with these initiatives seeking to diversify the energy matrix also results from our commitment to joint efforts to ensure energy security and stability, and to react to the phenomenon of global warning.

Currently 26 biofuel projects are under way in Mozambique. Most are still at the stage of seed multiplication, and the first harvest is not scheduled until 2012.

Among the conditions favorable to biofuel development in Mozambique:

• Agro-ecological conditions
• Availability of rich soils and water
• Geographical location
• Existence of port and storage facilities

More on Mozambique’s efforts to advance biofuels.