Maputo - Mozambique will need about $5-billion (about R36-billion) invested in projects aimed at solving the energy crisis in the country, Vista News reported on Thursday.
Energy minister, Salvador Namburete told reporters in Maputo that the government was seeking to augment electricity generation in the country by opening up new hydro-electric and natural gas projects.
"At the same time we will continue to make viability studies on projects with the potential of generating electrical energy.
"We have a great energy potential which can reach up to 12 500 megawatts and this will be enough to supply domestic and commercial projects," he said.
Despite Mozambique's huge energy potential only between eight and nine percent of the population have access to electricity.
Electrical energy currently produced in Mozambique through the Cahora Bassa hydro-electrical dam and the natural gas projects are also destined for foreign markets such as Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa. - Sapa