Mozambique is seeking nearly 400 000 t of middle distillates, which include gasoil and jet fuel, in the spot market due to an electricity shortage, traders said.
The country's sole importer of fuel Imopetro has issued a tender seeking 40 000 t of jet fuel and 350 000 t of gasoil for delivery to Mozambique ports for an unspecified period, they said.
The tender closes on Friday, with offers to stay valid for the same day. Mozambique regularly purchases fuel every six months, one of the sources said.
Mozambique has been facing an acute power shortage with demand rising rapidly and as new big hydro projects face delays.
Gasoil is typically used as fuel for back-up power generators in many countries.
Mozambique's current generating capacity is around 2 200 MW, mainly supplied by the Cahora Bassa hydroelectric dam. Most of that power is exported to neighbouring South Africa, while only 18% of Mozambicans have access to electricity.
Proposed projects include a 1 245 MW plant in the northern part of the Zambezi river where Cahora Bassa is also based, and the 1 500 MW Mphanda Nkuwa plant further downstream.
The country's power demand, currently at 1 600 MW, was rising 15% each year and growth was over 20% in the north where most new mining projects were based, a senior official at the country's state-owned utility Electricidad de Mocambique had said.
Source Reuters