Africa-Press – Angola. The works on the photovoltaic solar park in the municipality of Bailundo, Huambo province, the first stone of which was laid this Tuesday, generated 100 direct jobs, especially for young people living in the locality.
The ceremony, although the project began last July, was guided by the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, accompanied by the governor of the province of Huambo, Lotti Nolika, with the aim of producing, after completion in March 2025 , clean, cheap and included energy.
The project, part of the electrification project in the province of Huambo, will have a capacity of 7,992 megawatts of clean energy, with the installation of 208 trackers and 15,600 solar panels, to be carried out by more than 100.
The work, according to the Bailundo authorities, constitutes an added value, taking into account the number of jobs created and, consequently, the increase in family income.
On the occasion, the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, said that the construction of the photovoltaic solar park in the municipality of Bailundo, with more than 7 megawatts of clean energy, is in line with the policy of the Executive, led by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, aimed at reducing emissions and eliminating the production of thermal energy.
The official said that the project represents a great contribution to the reduction of global emissions, at a time when 40 percent of energy production is supported by thermal sources, especially in communal and municipal headquarters in a large part of the country, including in some provincial capitals in the South and East that are not yet connected to the national grid.
He explained that the strategy involves developing projects to eliminate polluting sources, because although Bailundo currently does not have any thermal sources operating, especially in the municipal town, the construction of the photovoltaic solar park will add the capacity of the electrical grid and , with this, helping to offset the shortfall in energy production from the Gove Hydroelectric Plant.
According to the minister, the Gove Hydroelectric Plant accumulates water and during the day photovoltaic production will help to supply electrical energy to Bailundo and, at the same time, preserve the Gove reservoir, as it is essential that it is connected to the various points some local production to the grid to stabilize the system and avoid disruptions.
Huambo in the era of energy innovation
In turn, the governor of Huambo province, Lotti Nolika, stated that the construction of the photovoltaic solar park reaffirms the Angolan Government’s unwavering commitment to growth and sustainable development.
He considered that progress towards clean and renewable energy sources reflects the commitment to improving social well-being and promoting a more promising future for all.
Lotti Nolika highlighted that the choice of photovoltaic energy constitutes an important milestone, placing the province of Huambo “in the era of innovation”, as it is active in the production of electricity from an inexhaustible resource, such as the sun, at a time when the world seeks to diversify the energy matrix, safeguarding natural resources, while preserving the environment.
With this reinforcement of the energy system, he said, the municipality of Bailundo will increasingly have families with access to clean and cheap energy, as well as generating energy autonomously, without exclusive dependence on large production centers. of electricity in the country, in addition to compensating for intermittent rainfall, as a result of climate change.
The governor, who hopes for the project to be completed within the expected deadline, expressed the local government’s willingness to provide all necessary support for the successful execution of the project.
It should be noted that the municipality of Bailundo has, since May 2022, had an electrical substation, with the capacity to generate 20 megawatts, an investment that allowed it to be connected to the national electricity grid, similar to the cities and surrounding areas of Huambo and Caála, including the commune of Calenga.
The project has 214 high voltage power transmission line posts, starting from the Belém do Dango substation, on the outskirts of the city of Huambo, over a length of 100 kilometers.
The project provides electricity to the local centrality, called Halavala, with three thousand and five housing units, in addition to three families from the municipal town and surrounding areas, including public and private institutions, on a 24/24 hour basis, when , previously the thermal system, marked by restrictions, was carried out on alternate days during the period, between 16/22 hours.
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