The rural electrification initiative aims to provide electricity to more than 1 million people residing in 60 communes spread across the provinces of Malanje, Bié, Moxico, Lunda-Norte, and Lunda-Sul. On November 15th, a significant milestone was marked with the consignment and groundbreaking ceremony for the Rural Electrification Project in Lunda-Norte province, held in Cafunfo, Cuango Municipality. Leading the event was Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, alongside Provincial Governor Deolinda Vilarinho and ambassadors from Portugal, Francisco Alegre, and Germany, Stefan Traumann, joined by energy sector officials from DNEER, PRODEL, and ENDE.
Representatives from companies involved signed the Consignment Document, with PRODEL, representing the Angolan Government, tasked with project oversight and supervision, while the Portuguese group MCA will serve as the principal contractor.
During the ceremony, the minister underscored the project’s importance in advancing the country’s electrification, aligning with President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço’s commitment to ensuring access to clean and affordable energy for more Angolan families, including those in remote areas. The goal is to achieve a renewable energy share of about 70% in the national energy mix by 2027, thus enhancing the quality of life for those still without access to the public power grid.
In Lunda-Norte province, the project will directly benefit 74,368 families across 15 communes, starting with Cafunfo, where 29,150 households will receive prepaid electricity connections. A photovoltaic park, featuring 72,000 panels capable of generating 41.4 megawatts and storing 111.45 MW in batteries for nighttime usage, will be constructed.
With a value of 1.027 billion euros, the Cafunfo photovoltaic park’s construction is scheduled over three years. Angola’s ample solar radiation, averaging between 1,370 and 2,100 kWh/m²/year, makes it an ideal location for solar energy utilization. Photovoltaic technology, known for its rapid installation (less than a year) and minimal maintenance costs, is well-suited for harnessing this energy source.
Strategic partnerships and financing totaling 1.2 billion euros from the German company Euler Hermes support the project, aligning with the Angola 2025 Plan’s objectives to provide clean energy to both urban and rural areas, expand the national power grid, and establish photovoltaic parks. These efforts aim to propel Angola toward prosperity and modernity, fostering greater integration into the global and regional economies.
Furthermore, the Angolan government aims to contribute positively to the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 4.2 to 8.0 million tons of CO2. Minister João Baptista Borges also urged local residents to safeguard public assets and report any acts of vandalism, which have been observed in various parts of the country.
