The BRILHO program, an initiative aimed at promoting sustainability and universal access to clean energy, has already benefited around 2.2 million people with renewable energy solutions by the first quarter of this year. This was announced in a press release from SNV (the Dutch Development Organization), to which the Mozambican Information Agency (AIM) had access this Thursday, May 2.
According to the press release, these results were achieved in all provinces, with access to electricity and thermal energy, of which 1.3 million people benefited from solar systems and 920,790 had access to improved cooking solutions, also contributing to reducing the emission of more than 560,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
In addition, more than 32,000 micro and small entrepreneurs are making productive use of the technology to generate income in various economic activities, thus contributing to local economic development.
Since its inception, the BRILHO programme has mobilized 33.7 million pounds (2.6 billion meticais) in additional private funding for the renewable energy sector and created 1971 new jobs. The program has also provided technical support to the government in drawing up the regulatory framework for off-grid areas, making the country a more attractive market for investors in the renewable energy sector.
As a way of reaching more Mozambicans with access to clean energy, SNV and the Governments of the United Kingdom and Sweden have formalized the extension of the BRILHO programme until October 2026, with an additional contribution of 8.7 million pounds (688.5 million meticais), bringing the total amount of funding for the programme to 38 million pounds (three billion meticais).
BRILHO is a five-year program, 2019-2024, which seeks to catalyze Mozambique’s off-grid energy market in order to provide affordable clean energy solutions for the country’s off-grid population. The overall aim of the initiative is to improve the lives of low-income people through savings, well-being and livelihood opportunities.
