Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, has unveiled plans for a groundbreaking 150 megawatt solar power initiative in Angola, a move set to provide renewable energy access to 90,000 households.
Masdar announced the initiative to develop the 150MWac solar power plant in Angola at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai — hosted by the United Arab Emirates. Masdar did not reveal financial details of the solar energy project.
The solar power project, located in the Quipungo region of southern Angola, stems from a concession agreement inked between Angola’s Ministry of Energy and Water and Masdar, renowned for its clean energy endeavors in the Gulf region. While specific financial details were not disclosed, this venture forms part of Masdar’s broader commitment to develop 5 gigawatts of renewable energy projects spanning Angola, Uganda, and Zambia.
Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 president, emphasized Africa’s potential to become a global renewable energy leader, expressing the UAE’s solidarity in realizing a just energy transition. Angola, striving to elevate its national electrification to 60 percent by 2025, currently has less than half of its population with access to electricity.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, highlighted the pivotal role renewable energy plays in unlocking Africa’s economic potential. Al Ramahi underscored Masdar’s dedication through its Infinity Power platform and collaboration with Africa50, aiming to expedite and scale projects to deliver 10GW of clean energy in Africa by 2030.
Masdar’s commitment extends to the UAE-led Africa Green Investment Initiative, mobilizing US$10 billion in clean energy finance, a significant portion dedicated to Angola’s transformative solar project.
The solar facility in Quipungo is poised to mitigate 224,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to removing 50,000 cars from the roads. Beyond providing consistent clean energy, the project is anticipated to stimulate the local economy, generating up to 600 employment opportunities during construction and fostering growth in sectors like agriculture post-implementation.
This initiative forms a segment of Masdar’s broader pledge made during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023 under Etihad 7, a global development fund aiming to supply clean electricity to 100 million people across Africa by 2035. As Masdar pioneers this milestone project in Angola, it signifies a significant leap toward sustainable and accessible energy solutions for the continent.