Globeleq Inc.’s 450-megawatt Central Termica de Temane gas-fired power plant in Mozambique has been delayed until mid-2025 due to extreme weather events that impacted the construction site.
The plant, originally slated to begin production this year, was delayed by Cyclone Freddy in 2023 and Tropical Storm Filipo in March 2024, which wreaked havoc along Mozambique’s coastline.
In response to inquiries, Globeleq confirmed that these weather systems had disrupted construction and pushed back the plant’s commissioning to the second quarter of 2025.
Cyclone Freddy caused significant destruction last year, killing dozens and displacing thousands, while Tropical Storm Filipo added further setbacks this year.
The Temane project is part of Mozambique’s broader effort to leverage its natural gas resources for economic development.
African nations, often rich in gas reserves, are looking to harness these resources to drive industrialization and meet domestic energy needs.
However, successful plant completions have been rare across the continent, making the Temane project a potentially significant milestone.
Globeleq, in partnership with Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) and Sasol Ltd., reached financial close on the $652 million project in 2021, with construction beginning in January 2022.
The total investment, including gas development and regional grid infrastructure, exceeds $2 billion. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), U.S.
International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and the OPEC Fund for International Development are also backing the initiative.
The plant aims to serve 800,000 consumers in a country where only one-third of the population has access to electricity.
Globeleq is majority-owned by British International Investment (70%), with the remaining 30% held by Norway’s Norfund.
