Luanda - The Angolan Government reiterated on Thursday, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), its commitment to the energy transition process.
The commitment was made official by the Angolan ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Júlio Maiato, during the “15th Renewables Talk”, promoted by the International Renewable Energy (IRENA).
Júlio Maiato highlighted that more than 62% of the country's energy production comes from renewable sources, that is, hydro and photovoltaic (solar), and that the two combinations now have a considerable weight in the clean energy production capacity.
He stressed that the country's goal is to reach 71% of clean energy by 2027, foreseen in the Electricity Sector Development Plan, and that Angola is counting on the Caculo Cabaça Hydroelectric Plant, which will generate 2,100 Megawatts (MW) and several energy projects solar energy.
Júlio Maiato highlighted that the country's membership, as an IRENA Member State, has facilitated international cooperation, exchange of experiences and technical support for countries.
Regarding cooperation with African countries, the ambassador highlighted that, as part of the acceleration of the adoption of clean energy, in March 2023, the Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of Central Africa was inaugurated in Angola, which includes 11 countries, with the objective of supporting the initiatives of young entrepreneurs in the field of renewable energy, as well as helping countries to increase the rate of electrification.
With regard to the energy transition in Africa, ambassador Júlio Maiato said that the biggest constraint in its implementation is linked to the financial factor.
Considering the low level of electrification in many African countries, the Head of the Angolan Mission in the UAE said that IRENA's actions, over the next 15 years, should focus on greater special attention on Africa and more initiatives such as “the Accelerated Partnership for Renewable in Africa” (APRA), and conditions must be created, involving different agents.
During the meeting, opened by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the United Arab Emirates, Mirian Almheiri, the IRENA's director general, Francesco La Camera, spoke, who reviewed the organization's actions since its creation, highlighting the achievements and future challenges, meeting the commitment to triple energy production, from clean sources. HM/AC/CF/DOJ
