Name of the Work: Rural electrification project

Location of Work: provinces of Bié, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje and Moxico.

Description of what it is and what it aims to achieve: Rural electrification is a strategic policy measure for social inclusion, which aims to provide human development, the well-being of Angolans and is a determining factor for the harmonious development of the national territory.

In the mining town of Cafunfo, Cuango municipality, Lunda Norte province, the first of the 46 solar parks to be installed in the 60 communes was consigned. It will be a photovoltaic park with 72,000 panels, which will have the capacity to produce 41.4 megawatts, plus 111.45 MW stored in batteries for night-time production.

The first phase of the project will cover the provinces of Malanje, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul and Moxico. The second phase, scheduled to begin in the first half of 2024, will cover the province of Bié.

The aim of this rural electrification project is to build a network to produce electricity from 100 per cent renewable sources and it will benefit more than one million people in five provinces of Angola. Over two decades, it will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 7.7 million tonnes.

The electrification of these communities will connect 203,000 homes and provide energy for economic and productive activities, guaranteeing access to 250MWp of photovoltaic power and 595MWh of battery storage. The electrification will be of high, medium and low voltage, with 46 isolated systems, 12 grid-connected systems and three substations and two grid-connected systems.

This rural electrification project, part of the local government’s Angola 2025 Plan, involves the construction by the Portuguese MCA Group of 46 solar mini-grids, which will reach a voltaic capacity of 265 megawatts.

Cost of the Work: 1.2 billion euros

Contractor: Main contractor Portuguese MCA Group