Masdar, a renewable energy firm from the United Arab Emirates, is set to develop a 150 MW solar park project in southern Angola, specifically in Quipungo Municipality, Huíla province. The concession agreement with this strategic UAE company was signed today, December 2nd, during the COP28 Climate Change Conference at Expo City Dubai, between Angolan Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, and Masdar’s CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi.
This project will generate up to 600 direct jobs and provide clean electricity to 90,000 households in a region facing significant electricity supply challenges. The agreement signed at COP28 highlights the Angolan Government’s dedication to a fair energy transition, economic growth, and reducing carbon emissions in Africa and globally. This initiative will greatly assist Angola in achieving its goal of increasing the national electrification rate to over 50% by 2027.
“This contract is part of a previously signed agreement, which included another one for project development. Now, we are signing a concession contract for the construction of a 150 MW solar park in southern Angola, specifically in Quipungo Municipality,” Minister João Baptista Borges told the press. According to the Minister of Energy and Water, the project is a private investment that will provide solar capacity not only to the Huíla Province but also to Namibe.
“In this southern region, there is a significant energy supply shortage, and we still rely on thermal energy. This project will replace thermal energy with clean energy,” stated His Excellency Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges. The Minister clarified that Masdar will supply energy to both the public grid and private consumers. “The supply will be managed by the public grid under a power purchase agreement to be signed soon between the National Transport Network (RNT) and the park operator. The signed contract grants a concession of 25 to 30 years, ensuring the park operates and is maintained with the investor having rights over the land where the park will be established.”
During COP28’s opening, His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, President of Masdar, and designated President of COP28, stated, “Africa has all the resources needed to become the global leader in renewable energy.”
