Supporting the grid operator in reducing non-technical losses in Mozambique

Access to the electricity grid has tripled in Mozambique over the past ten years, rising from 8% in 2006 to 31% in 2019. Demand for electricity will continue to grow at an annual rate of 7-8%, driven by socio-economic growth. The government's objective of achieving universal access by 2030 can only be achieved by improving EDM's operational performance, to enable it to invest in the extension of transmission and distribution networks. Non-technical losses, which measure the difference between energy consumed and energy billed, are a major challenge for EDM. In fact, losses amounted to 31% in 2020, of which almost 2/3 were non-technical, representing a huge loss of earnings for the operator.
 

The project includes :

• Making customer metering more reliable
• Improve understanding of flows on distribution networks
• Strengthen non-technical loss management capabilities through better use of information systems
• Improve the effectiveness of field actions when fraud alerts are issued
• Support EDM in implementing communication and awareness-raising initiatives 

The aim of the project is to contribute to EDM's overall objective of reducing losses by 2% per year. It will also improve EDM's commercial margin and, more generally, its financial situation. The implementation of actions to combat non-technical losses will also encourage fraudulent customers, particularly large consumers, to control their consumption, and will therefore have a positive impact on reducing CO2 emissions. In addition, the project will aim to ensure that at least 50% of the people mobilized by the service provider (who will eventually be recruited by EDM) are women.