One of the world’s leading renewable energy company, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar intends developing a major ground-mounted solar power project in the Quipungo in Angola to deliver renewable power to 90,000 households and create jobs
While global leaders were negotiating on climate at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 located in Dubai, Masdar – the UAE’s clean energy kingpin – inked an agreement for concession with Angola’s ministry of energy and water for the purpose of construct Although the area has strong insolation, it is electricity starved.
One of the most prominent challenges facing African development is energy insecurity. Despite electricity being available for only less than half of the population in Angola, this figure diminishes even more with regards to rural areas. The project will contribute greatly to the target of having a national electrification rate of over 60 % in Angola by 2025.
Location of the ground-mounted solar power project in Angola
This solar project will take place in Quipundo region, Huila province which are heavily dependent on emission-based and unreliable fossil fuels. Upon completion, the solar facility is expected to replace at least 224 thousand tonnes of carbon in a year which is equivalent to more than 50 thousand cars that should be taken off the road.
Signatory parties included H E Joao Baptista Borges (minster of energy and water of Angola) and Mr. Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi (chief executive officer of Masdar).
HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar and COP28 President, said: Africa can be the renewable energy world’s powerhouse. We will keep working with Africa for Africa at COP28 and later days ahead.
Masdar’s key role in financing clean energy in Angola
Masdar is one of the anchor partners in the UAE led Africa green investment initiative that aims at generating funds worth $10 billion in clean energy financing including $2 billion raised through equity with an extra $8 billion generated by Project Finance. It was another defining step on that critical journey of this transformative project in Angola.”
Total capacity of the ground-mounted solar power project
ground-mounted solar power project will have installation with a capacity of 150 megawatts. Homes and enterprises shall jump from haphazard traditional fuel based power supply to nonstop eco-friendly energy. This is also good news for the local economy. This phase will create up to 600 jobs. Lastly, a clean energy will be provided for sectoral growth that includes agriculture.
Also read Angola Secures 1.3 Billion Euros for Solar Projects
