The Mozambique Transmission Company (MOTRACO) – a strategic partnership and between the national electricity companies of Mozambique (EDM), South Africa (Eskom) and Eswatini (EEC) held on 27 October 2023 in the city of Maputo a grand celebration, illuminated and full of pride during the Gala of the 25 years of existence of the company.
The celebration of this event brought together dignitaries representing the Governments of Mozambique, ESwatini and South Africa, collaborators, partners, customers and guests who were able to interact, fraternize and reflect on the company's path and challenges throughout its 25 years of existence.
The implementation of the MOTRACO project was due to the strategic vision and partnership between the governments of the three countries, the financial support of international European, African and Japanese development banks, including the EIB, AFD and JBIC, as well as the commitment and dedication of its shareholders and experts involved in the structuring and construction of international infrastructure.
In order to achieve the project, the Government of Mozambique granted MOTRACO a concession for the supply of 950 MW to Mozal, as well as the transport of electricity to EDM, ECC and Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP).
Dominant note in the various speeches made during the occasion was the strategic importance of the project in the development of the national energy transmission network in Mozambique, enabling the interconnection of Mozambique's electricity grid to accelerate and the strengthening of regional energy trade at SADC/SAPP level.
Through two high-voltage transport lines at 400 kV, MOTRACO ensures continuous and uninterrupted supply of high-quality electricity, and its deployment allowed the materialization of the mega-project Mozal in Beluluane-Province Maputo, making Mozambique one of the largest aluminium exporters to the world market.
MOTRACO is the second regional energy supply project implemented in the post-independence period and linking Mozambique to the SADC/SAPP region, after the conclusion in 1998 of the Songo-Bindura line linking Mozambique to Zimbabwe.
The planned integration of the transport infrastructure of MOTRACO and STE will mark another step in the implementation of the backbone of the national electricity transmission network ensuring the arrival of Maputo from 2024 of the energy to be produced in Temane – Province of Inhambane – and later of the water energy to be generated in Mpanda Nkwa, reinforcing the redundancy in the system, improving the quality of supply and increasing energy exchanges at SAPP level.
As part of the programme of celebrations, MOTRACO carried out, within the framework of its Social Responsibility and Investment Program, the delivery of a Mother-Waiting House to the local community of Porto Henrique – District of Namaacha. The facilities offered will contribute to the improvement of the well-being and health of the local population and will allow the shortening of the distance traveled by pregnant mothers for delivery and the drastic reduction of complications during childbirth. In addition, in order to ensure greater comfort, motivation and performance to students, MOTRACO offered 60 school portfolios and school boards Mavoco Primary School – Boane District – located near the substation of Maputo 400 kV/275 kV/132 kV.
The Director-General of MOTRACO – Sousa’s Adérito – stated in the event that the business model adopted by MOTRACO is a regional and international reference in terms of investments, operation and maintenance of electrical energy transport systems and optical fibre data transmission.
It also advocated that the constructive dialogue and strategic alliance between national electricity companies and between the business community and the State should continue and be strengthened so that more structuring projects can be implemented for the benefit of the national economy and with social impact.
