Communication - Presse
Future of Gas: “Step on the Gas” or Hold Back – What Lies Ahead for Rovuma?
The largest project in Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin, known as Mozambique LNG, an onshore development, is preparing for a strategic restart after four years of suspension following an insurgent attack on the town of Palma, which caused an unconfirmed number of deaths and disappearances. TotalEnergies, the consortium leader, announced plans to resume construction this year, after financing partners reaffirmed their commitment and amid alleged improvements in security conditions in Cabo Delgado, where the project is located. However, the euphoria surrounding the “imminent restart” coexists with financial, geopolitical, and social risks that could shape the fate of this $20+ billion venture.
Announced Restart and Adjusted Timeline
In September 2024, former President Filipe Nyusi declared in New York that the project’s resumption was “a certainty” and that the country had “created conditions” for Total’s return, noting that the suspension was linked to internal company decisions. In August 2023, then-Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Carlos Zacarias had already stated there were “clear signs that security conditions” were in place, while the government maintained “constant dialogue” with TotalEnergies.
Despite political optimism, the original timeline, which anticipated production starting in 2027, has been pushed to 2029–2030, reflecting prolonged suspension, financial and contractual renegotiations.
