Luanda - The energy sector in Angola was focused in operationalizing structuring projects over the year 2024 aiming to increase electricity production capacity, with the opening of the Matala Hydroelectric Plant, in Huíla, and the Saurimo photovoltaic plant in Lunda-Sul and Luena photovoltaic plants in Moxico province.
By Aurélio Cua, ANGOP journalist
The investments in the sector, including the Luachimo plants, in the province of Lunda-Norte, as well as the Cunje plant in Bié, not only increase electrical energy production capacity, but also reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to the benefits in terms of energy capacity, the rehabilitation, modernization or construction of such projects have brought significant improvements to communities. Villages and surrounding areas were electrified, boosting the economic development of these regions.
The Angolan government has invested more than 106,940 million euros in the rehabilitation of the Matala dam, since 2019, allowing it to increase its production capacity from 27.7 to 40.8 megawatts.
The Saurimo photovoltaic park, budgeted at 38.8 million euros and with capacity to generate 26.14 MW, comprises 44,850 solar panels and will produce clean electricity to supply more than 170,000 families, a solution that will help to save more than 19 million liters of fuel per year.
The Luachimo hydroelectric plant gained a new hydraulic circuit and a power plant with 34 MW of installed power, equipped with 4 generating groups of 8.5 MW each, which has contributed to meeting the needs of industries, mainly in the mining sector, which depend on generator sets.
The year 2024 recorded advanced progress in the hydroelectric works of Caculo Cabaça, in Cuanza-Norte, whose main plant has a physical execution level of 34%, and the Nduê and Calucuve dams, both underway in the province of Cunene.
The construction of the Nduê dam has a physical and financial execution rate of 83%, while the Calucuve dam is at 63.12%.
However, once it´s operating, the two infrastructures will contribute to agricultural production and farming, as well as minimizing the problem of drought in the region.
Taking into account the country's sustainable development and the well-being of its citizens, the transport and distribution of electrical power are specific priorities for the implementation of projects that will continue in 2025.
Data indicate a production of more than 12.500 gigawatts of electrical energy, from January to November 2024, by the Public Electricity Production Company (PRODEL-EP), representing an increase of 8% compared to the previous year.
These numbers resulted from the investment of more than two billion kwanzas in the modernization and maintenance of infrastructure in production centers, with emphasis on the Laúca, Cambambe and Kapanda dams.
These numbers resulted from the investment of more than two billion kwanzas in the modernization and maintenance of infrastructure in production centers, with emphasis on the Laúca, Cambambe and Kapanda dams.
Renewable energies
Over the last 12 months, 500 million kwanzas were also invested in renewable energy projects, focusing on the integration of solar systems in rural communities, which benefited more than 50,000 families.
The indicators reflect the solidity of the company's growth and management strategy, which maintains its commitment to the continuous improvement of electricity supply, with a view to promoting the country's development.
The minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, reiterated the government's intention to reach 73% of renewable energy in the country by 2027, highlighting that several projects are underway that will add 500 megawatts of solar energy to the “national energy matrix” and afterwards others will be installed in southern provinces to improve access to services in rural areas.
In this regard, the Ministry and the American Chamber of Commerce in Angola (AmCham-Angola) signed a cooperation protocol to promote energy transition policies and the development of an energy hub.
In this effort, the United States continues to be one of the partners that has most supported Angola, with investments totaling USD 2.4 billion dollars.
Baynes Dam for Angola and Namibia
During the year Angola and Namibia signed an agreement for the construction and operation of the Baynes Binational Hydroelectric Plant.
The hydroelectric plant will be located on the Cunene River, in the international border section between the two States, approximately 48 kilometers downstream of the Epupa Falls and 200 km downstream of Ruacaná, in the place where the river crosses the Baynes canyon.
The infrastructure will have an installed capacity of 860 MW, with four 215 MW units, 430 MW for each of the countries, ensuring the reinforcement of the integration of Angola's electricity grid in the southern region of Africa.
The project is of enormous importance for the progress of the southern regions of Angola and northern Namibia, as well as for strengthening bilateral relations.
In addition to electricity production, it will promote the development of these regions in the sectors of agriculture, farming, tourism and job creation.
It will also allow, in both States, the creation of new business opportunities in the industrial and transport sector, during the construction phase, with emphasis on the Port of Namibe, for the national cement and construction materials production industry, as well as for national rail and road transport.
The agreement includes, among others, the formalization of the decision and the commitment of the two governments to jointly build the hydroelectric plant and the establishment of conditions for the implementation of the project, in accordance with its principles and complementary provisions and protocols. ACC/VC/IZ/MRA/DOJ
