The Mozambican Council of Ministers (Cabinet) on Tuesday approved the Strategy for the Development of New and Renewable Energy, with the objective of creating conditions for communities living far away from the national grid to access energy resources.The strategy is due to be implemented over the 15 year period 2011-2025, and will regulate and put into operation the use of renewable sources for the generation of electricity. Energy Minister Salvador Namburete told reporters after the meeting that among the various renewable energy technologies contemplated in the strategy are solar-powered photovoltaic systems for lighting, water pumping or heating. Other technologies are wind generators, geothermal systems and biomass from organic material such as sugar cane. The strategy also covers power generation from the sea, which looks at wave and tidal energy, and temperature variations in the ocean.“This element is, from the technological point of view, still very expensive. But because the strategy covers a 15 year period we do not know what will happen over time” said Namburete, noting that a look at the advances in technology over the last few years shows that costs could fall and become affordable for the country.Much of the development of these types of energy, according to the minister, will be outside the grid (which is based on power from the Cahora Bassa dam on the Zambezi), and will consist of isolated systems that will be able to provide energy to villages. One such initiative is being developed throughout the country by the National Energy Fund (FUNAE) which seeks to provide 2.1 million Mozambicans with energy from photovoltaic units (solar panels).The development strategy outside the grid could be implemented through small hydro-electric generators. In Manica and Niassa provinces there are mini and micro hydro generation systems using simple technology which are easy to use and maintain.According to Namburete, the isolated systems will be developed by private companies using cost recovery models. He pointed out that in some cases the cost of producing energy will be slightly higher than the national electricity tariff, but an effort will be made to approach the cost of what is provided by the national grid.It would certainly be much cheaper than the obvious alternative – which is firewood and charcoal – especially if environmental costs are factored in.