Africa-Press – Angola. The first phase of the construction works for the 25 megawatt (MW) Photovoltaic Power Station, built in Caraculo, in the municipality of Bibala, province of Namibe, is fully completed, awaiting the testing period.
With start-up scheduled for the first quarter of 2023, the plant, with an estimated useful life of 25 years, cost US$42 million, which was used to install 46,000 panels, operations building, among other services.
The project, which will have 50 megawatts after the completion of the second and final phase, started in June 2022, employing 230 employees residing in Namibe province.
It also includes the installation of water systems in the town of Caraculo, with a view to promoting agriculture, watering livestock and for human consumption.
The governor of Namibe, Archer Mangueira, who noted the progress of the works, was satisfied with the progress of the project.
He assured that once the construction phase is over, tests and administrative procedures on the management of the plant itself are expected.
“We are going to intervene with the Ministries that have the competence to deal with these procedures, so that, as soon as the tests are carried out and they are already concluded, the technical teams will work with all the equipment to carry out the inauguration”, said the minister.
Archer Mangueira believes that the entry into operation of this photovoltaic plant will help reduce the consumption of diesel for the thermal power stations, the main energy equipment that supplies energy to Namibe.
The president of Selenova, the company in charge of the work, Germano Sacavumbi, said that the work “is practically finished”, reiterating that the preparations for the tests and testing of all the equipment remain.
“Technically, we have completed all the work, with physical progress in the order of 90 percent, as what is lacking at this point are fine-tuning details, testing and trials for the effective production of the plant”, said the official.
More than ten thousand inhabitants live in the Caraculo area, most of whom raise animals such as cattle and goats and small farmers who are dedicated to the cultivation of vegetables and cereals for their livelihood.
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