Electrification will extend to over 1 million individuals across 60 communities in the provinces of Malanje, Bié, Moxico, Lunda-Norte, and Lunda-Sul. On Wednesday, November 15, in Cafunfo, Cuango municipality, the consignment ceremony and initiation of the initial phase of the Rural Electrification Project in Lunda-Norte province occurred. The event was overseen by the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, alongside the Provincial Governor, Deolinda Vilarinho, Portugal’s ambassador Francisco Alegre, Germany’s ambassador Stefan Traumann, and energy sector authorities, including DNEER, PRODEL, and ENDE.
The contractual agreement was signed by the involved companies, with PRODEL representing the Angolan government for project supervision, while Portugal’s MCA Group assumes the primary contractor role. During the proceedings, the minister emphasized the substantial strides made in electrifying the nation, underscoring President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço’s commitment to providing clean and affordable energy to more Angolan families by 2027, aiming for around 70% renewable sources in the national energy mix.
The initiative will benefit 74,368 families in 15 communities in Lunda Norte, with 29,150 prepaid home connections in Cafunfo. A photovoltaic park comprising 72,000 panels will be constructed, capable of generating 41.4 megawatts, with additional battery storage of 111.45 MW for nocturnal production. With a budget of 1.027914 billion euros, the Cafunfo photovoltaic park is slated for completion within three years.
Angola’s conducive solar energy conditions, with an average global radiation ranging from 1,370 to 2,100 kWh/m2/year, make photovoltaic technology the optimal choice for harnessing this resource due to its swift installation and low maintenance costs. The project secured financing of 1.2 billion euros from Germany’s Euler Hermes.
Aligned with the Angola 2025 Plan, the initiative aims to deliver clean electricity to both urban and rural areas, propelling Angola towards prosperity and modernization. The Angolan government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.2 to 8.0 million tons of CO2. Minister João Baptista Borges also urged the local populace to safeguard public assets and report instances of vandalism.
