The Angolan government plans to reach an installed capacity of 8,000 megawatts and an electrification rate of 50% by 2027, which will require an investment of 17.2 billion dollars.

The goal of increasing coverage from the current 43% to 50% was announced this Thursday by Angola's Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, quoted by Lusa, at the opening of the 7th edition of Africa Energy Market Place 2023, promoted by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The Angolan minister began by pointing out that the African continent is still struggling with a low electrification rate, and that Angola has achieved exponential growth in its installed electricity production capacity in recent years, from 2,356.36 megawatts (MW) in 2015 to around 6,319.43 megawatts today, thanks to "important investments".

The Angolan government official highlighted the recent completion of the Laúca Hydroelectric Power Station, which produces around 2,070 MW, the expansion of the Cambambe Power Station, the construction of the Soyo Combined Cycle Power Station, and the construction of the Caculo Cabaça Hydroelectric Power Station, which will produce around 2,172 MW, which will bring the country's installed capacity to 9,644.09 MW by 2027, surpassing the 8,000 MW projected.

According to the minister, as well as investing in hydroelectric power, Angola has begun the process of restructuring its energy matrix, having recently completed the Biópio Photovoltaic Plant with around 188 MWdc (MW photovoltaic) and Baía Farta, with around 96 MWdc, which contribute around 3.8% to the Public Electricity System.

Despite the investments, João Baptista Borges considered that "the challenges are still immense, given the need to guarantee the expansion of the energy transportation network to the south and east of the country".

"By the end of 2027, we aim to achieve an access rate of 50%, considering a population of 33 million people, which means making around 1,700,000 new home connections," he said, pointing to the expansion of the electricity grid, increased efficiency and sustainability in the sector, and a commitment to renewable energies and private participation as strategies for achieving the target.

Another of the challenges, said João Baptista Borges, is access to credit on concessional terms, which will allow the country to bear the burden of debt with the construction of new infrastructure.

"Here, the role of multilateral credit institutions, such as the ADB and the World Bank, is of great importance," he said.

The Angolan leader emphasized the ADB's participation in important projects in Angola, such as the financing for the creation of the electricity transmission line that will connect the provinces of Huambo, in the center, and Huíla, in the south, thus eliminating the consumption of fuel used to produce energy in the cities of Lubango and Namibe.

According to the minister, the ADB is supporting the government in defining the mini-grid models, which are expected to be implemented in locations to be identified in Angola's central highlands.

"We would like to highlight the ADB's participation in financing the installation of 1,300,000 pre-paid meters, which we intend to implement as quickly as possible," said João Baptista Borges.

The government also intends to promote the construction of an electricity transmission system that connects to the neighboring Republic of Zambia and integrates the National Electricity System, as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) system.