Israeli NGO moves forward with plans to build solar fields in Mozambique

Israeli NGO, Jerusalem-based Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD), has announced that they will be moving forward with plans to create a large solar field on Mozambican Church Land, shortly after Pope Francis arrived in Mozambique, Trend reports citing the Jerusalem Post.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) and two land-lease agreements were signed to build these solar fields as a part of the Faith Inspired Renewable Energy Project, a joint initiative between the ICSD, multinational renewable energy company Gigawatt Global and the Anglican Church in northern Mozambique and Eswatini.

Deputy Director of the ICSD Phillipa Friedland signed the MOU in Linchinga, Mozambique with Her Excellency Francisca Domingos Tomas, Governor of the Niassa Province.

"The overwhelming majority of rural households, schools, and health clinics in Niassa Province lack electricity. Our goal is to significantly increase clean energy generation and help reduce energy poverty in one of the poorest places in the world," said Friedland. "Renewable energy production can significantly reduce reliance on diesel and gathered wood, the most polluting fuels, thereby helping to address air pollution and climate change."

With less than 15% of the country's citizens connected to electrical infrastructure, according to the NGO most people "face chronic poverty" in the region with little means to get themselves out of penury.