Africa-Press – Angola. The Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, reiterated this Wednesday that the Angolan Government wants to achieve the target of 72 percent renewable energy, as part of the diversification of the country’s energy matrix.
Angola’s commitment to renewable energy by 2025 was made by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, in 2021, at the United Nations Climate Summit, in Glasgow.
Thus, the province of Benguela has, since July 2022, had two first photovoltaic plants of 285 megawatts (MW), in an investment of over 300 million euros, as part of the Government’s strategy to produce clean and cheap energy that can help to reverse the effects of climate change.
Speaking at the 12th Consultative Council of the Ministry of Energy and Water (MINEA), which takes place in Benguela, João Baptista Borges showed his conviction in achieving this goal, taking into account the commitment to the transition to clean energy that is accessible to all.
In the transport segment, the minister highlighted as priorities the extension of the national electricity network, towards the south and east, thus integrating the provinces of Huíla, Namibe, Cuando Cubango, Cunene, Moxico and Lundas Norte and Sul into the system.
With this, he noted, the number of provinces connected to the national electricity grid will increase to 17.
In addition to saving millions of m3 of fuel every year, Minister João Baptista Borges estimates that this objective will also reduce the very high operating and maintenance costs of thermal power plants.
The government official also assumed that it is necessary, above all, to boost access to electricity for millions of Angolans and companies located in the areas to be reached.
Distribution
The official stated that the aim is to achieve 50% access to electricity among the population, compared to the current 43% and, to achieve this, it is essential that the average number of annual household connections is 250 thousand.
In this sense, he said the increase or expansion of networks is planned both on the outskirts of the main cities, with greater population concentrations, and in areas where there has never been electricity or there are limitations.
Therefore, he recalled that an important electrification project in the eastern provinces of the country, including Bié and Malanje, has been approved, which will provide access to electricity for more than 900 thousand people in 60 locations.
He reiterated the objective of developing the electrification project in the south of Angola, comprising the provinces of Cuando Cubango, Namibe, Cunene and Huíla, which will benefit more than five million inhabitants in 72 locations.
“Electrification solutions for such projects include not only grid extension, but mainly solar systems with accumulators”, highlighted the minister.
He also listed other ongoing projects, confirming that the sector’s strategy involves increasing the electrification levels of provinces with lower access rates, such as Bié and Malanje.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
