Africa-Press – Angola. A photovoltaic solar system with capacity to produce 40,260 kilowatts of energy per year was inaugurated this Thursday, in the municipality of Cubal, province of Benguela, to supply the local butane gas filling facility.
The structure, budgeted at 250 thousand dollars (one dollar is equivalent to 831.50 kwanzas), has 51 photovoltaic panels installed, a containerized unit that includes an inverter and a battery storage system with autonomy to operate 24/24 hours.
Installed as part of the energy transition, the system has the advantages of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 65 tons/year, decarbonizing operations and reducing both diesel consumption and energy, operation and maintenance costs. of the installation.
According to the president of the Executive Committee of Sonangol Gás e Energias Renováveis, Manuel Barros, the entry into operation of the photovoltaic system implies a reduction in consumption of 18 thousand liters of diesel per year and savings of more than 150 thousand dollars with the acquisition of generators.
He stated that the installation will operate fully with clean and renewable energy. “This system is modern and has a capacity to produce 28 kilowatts per hour,” he said, highlighting that the filling unit depended exclusively on generators, which are currently idle.
During the day, he explained, the photovoltaic system will produce enough energy for the installation’s needs and, at night, the energy will be guaranteed by the battery storage system.
Manuel Barros announced that Sonangol intends, by 2027, to implement projects to reach its own energy production capacity in the order of 427 megawatts.
“The Cubal filling unit and the Anduri Filling Station, in Bengo, are proof of our commitment to innovation, sustainability and environmental preservation in accordance with the highest standards of the oil industry”, he emphasized.
For the representative of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Manuel Júnior, this action by Sonangol is aligned with the sector’s programs in the National Development Plan 2023-2027, in terms of actions and targets for decarbonization and contribution to energy transition that is approaching.
The municipal administrator of Cubal, Paulino Banja, considered that renewable energy is a “path” that everyone should follow.
The official said that they also intend to produce clean energy to supply the municipal headquarters, communes, villages and ombalas, gradually phasing out the thermal power plants.
On the other hand, Paulino Banja referred to the need to raise awareness among the local population, estimated at 367 thousand inhabitants, in order to gradually stop using coal and firewood, opting for cooking gas.
Cubal’s mini installation has a filling capacity of 3,500 12-kilogram butane gas bottles per day, with the surplus being sent to the provinces of Bié, Huambo and surrounding areas. The average daily consumption in the municipality is around 500 bottles.
The Sonangol group’s strategic guidelines assume that at least 12 percent of its investment program, in 2024, will be allocated to renewable energy.
By 2030, Sonangol intends to have 25 percent of its operations in renewable energy and continue to decarbonize its operations.
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