ARENE Technical Assistance (TA) Support Request Off-Grid Regulations

Following the meeting held between ARENE RVO/ETF and the Netherlands embassy in Maputo (EKN-MAP) last month, this summary points the ARENE's interest under the ETF scope of work.

Aiming to create a broader regulatory structure, on Tuesday the 14th of September 2021 the Cabinet approved the Regulation for off-grid which enables the access to energy through mini-grids up to 10 MW and energy services, using mainly renewable energy sources.

This regulation envisages to be a simplified framework of procedures for the development of projects based on mini-grids up to 10MW as well as energy services.

In order to implement the approved regulation, complementary regulations are currently being prepared and drafted, namely: Concession and register regulation, Tariff regulation, Interconnection regulation, Sanctioning regulation, Quality services and commercial relations norms, Security norms as well as environmental standards.

In addition to the above mentioned regulations, there is a need to map the approved regulation to identify other legal instruments (such as norms, procedures, regulations, etc.) that are not yet mentioned, and there is a need to develop them considering that they are essential to the materialization of this new legal framework. 

In this context, ARENE has requested the ETF technical assistance (TA) to proceed with complementary regulations and to map and draft legal instruments evolving from the recently approved off grid regulation. Off-grid energy systems, mainly using renewable energy sources (e.g., solar PV, wind, small-scale hydro) are an important tool for carbon-neutral development and electrification of parts of the country, thus enabling climate-friendly social and economic development. It is also needed to review the approved regulation to identify further areas which may need to be elaborated in technical regulations or other legal instruments, such as norms or procedural guidelines.