The Solar Energy Production Plant is set to benefit over 51,023 individuals residing in the Bailundo municipality of Huambo province. As part of the Minister of Energy and Water’s tour to the southern regions of the country, an extensive program is slated for today, December 12, covering the municipalities of Bailundo, Ecunha, and Huambo.
On Tuesday, December 12, the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant in Bailundo took place. This endeavor, boasting a production capacity of 7,992 MWdc, forms part of the Angola 2025 Plan, devised by the Angolan government to escalate electrification rates through sustainable energy sources. The goal is to ease the transition of local households and businesses from irregular electricity derived from fossil fuels to more economical and eco-friendly energy sources.
The event was overseen by H.E. João Baptista Borges, Minister of Energy and Water, in the presence of Provincial Governor Notti Nolika, His Majesty the King of Bailundo, Chiongolola Chongonga, and senior officials from MINEA, the Energy Sector, DNEER, PRODEL, ENDE, and Local Government. The signing of the Consignment Note was carried out by representatives from PRODEL and MCA on behalf of the Angolan Government, with Pedro Eduardo Afonso, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PRODEL, leading the proceedings.
During the ceremony, the minister underscored the priority accorded by President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to provide cleaner and more accessible energy to more Angolan families. The objective is to achieve approximately 70% renewable energy in the National Energy Matrix by 2027, thus enhancing the quality of life for Angolans not yet connected to the national public grid.
The project, with a budget of EUR 20,271,445.00, is slated for completion by 2023, three years from the signing date. It involves the installation of 15,600 panels, expected to create around 50 direct employment opportunities and save an estimated EUR 6,117,409.32.
Following the ceremony, the minister and his delegation conducted an evaluation visit to the project site before proceeding to the municipality of Ecunha to monitor the progress of electrification works.
