Maputo — The Mozambican government’s Energy Fund (FUNAE) has taken provisional ownership of six new small-scale solar power stations in the southern provinces of Gaza and Inhambane.

These power stations were built under the “50 villages project” intended to increase access to electricity in rural areas not yet reached by the national grid based on the Cahora Bassa dam.

Each of the mini-power stations consists of 18 solar panels, each with a capacity to generate a maximum of 230 watts, a battery house, a charge controller, an inverter, a low voltage distribution board, and six public lampposts.

The six small stations cover, in Gaza province, Machaila village in Chigubo district, and in Inhambane province, the villages of Nhacache and Madumbuza (Massinga district), Chibiquile and Mahunzulucane (Mabote district), and Gumana (Funhalouro district).

The “50 villages project”, financed by the Portuguese government, is aimed at the electrification of villages in all the country’s provinces, except Cabo Delgado in the far north. It also envisages providing electricity for schools, health centres, administrative offices, shops and homes (particularly the homes of teachers and nurses).

At the same time as receiving the new power stations, FUNAE has embarked on a data survey for maintenance of existing solar systems in the localities of Sitila and Bellane, in the Inhambane districts of Morrumbene and Vilankulo.