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Joint Communiqué on the Outcomes of the Meeting between the Ministers of Energy of Angola and Namibia

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On June 4th, at the Laúca Hydroelectric Dam, located in Malanje Province, a Bilateral Meeting took place regarding the Baynes Binational Hydroelectric Project, which has a capacity of 881 MW. This project is being developed in partnership by the Governments of Angola and Namibia, in the lower Cunene River region, near the border shared by both countries. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the outcomes of the bilateral virtual meeting held on November 20, 2023.

The Ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the professionals and consultants involved in the binational project, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Baynes Binational Energy Project for Angola, Namibia, and the SADC region, particularly given that Angola is not yet part of the SADC regional transmission network.

Considering the completion of the major studies and after careful analysis of the results and recommendations, the Ministers made the following decisions:

  1. Convert the two Baynes Project Offices into a joint implementation unit, headquartered in Luanda or Windhoek, with a satellite office in one of these cities.
  2. Create a joint bank account in Luanda or Windhoek, to be managed by the Baynes Project implementation unit, with an annual budget provided by both Governments.
  3. Approve the updated Technical-Economic Feasibility Study Report of 2023.
  4. Authorize the construction of a regulation dam located about 12 km downstream from the main dam, with a capacity of 21 MW, which will also serve as a bridge on the road corridor.
  5. Adopt the public model as the most appropriate for the implementation of the Baynes Binational Hydroelectric Project, recommending it to the Governments for final approval by September 2024.
  6. Finalize the legal review of the Baynes Binational Implementation Agreement, with the joint review meeting scheduled for June 2024, in Windhoek, Namibia.
  7. Determine that the Baynes Binational Implementation Agreement should be signed by July 2024.

The Ministers also highlighted the following advances:

  • The feasibility study for the Baynes interconnection lines is at an advanced stage, with completion expected by mid-2025.
  • The President of Angola has already approved the start of construction of the temporary access route from Tombwa-Garota Nova, via Moimba, in 2024.

João Baptista Borges  João Baptista Borges  João Baptista Borges