The low energy use is a result of the war, which seriously damaged most of the existing infrastructure. Today hydropower sources are the most widely available. The second largest hydroelectric dam in Africa is situated on the Zambezi river in Mozambique, at Cahora Bassa. The net hydropower potential for electricity production is estimated at 14.000 MW, of which only 2250 MW is currently exploited. Currently, studies of other hydro-electric resource possibilities on the Zambezi river are being concluded.
Mineral coal is another source of electricity production which is available in large quantities.
The estimated potential in coal resources amounts to 104 million tons. Mozambique, furthermore, has a great potential in natural gas. For historical reasons, however, natural gas has never been exploited in the country. The Government is currently about to sell a natural gas reserve with more than 70 billion of cubic meters, which is an excellent opportunity for a foreign investor. At household level and in small scale industries, wood fuel is the most commonly used source of energy.