When construction is complete, the Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric power station will allow the incorporation of about 2.1 gigawatts (GW) of power generation capacity, President João Lourenço said at an economic forum in Washington, public television station TPA Noticias reported here.
The country is becoming less reliant on power generation from thermal power plants fueled by diesel or gas, the president said as he characterized investment priorities for harnessing water and solar potential. The Laúca and Cambambe hydroelectric power plants are operational, while the construction of Caculo Cabaça, which will provide around 2.1 GW, is progressing, the head of state explained.
With the commissioning of this latest project, Angola will have an installed capacity of nine GW, said the President, who also highlighted the remarks on the expansion of the national electricity distribution grid.
He explained that the central areas, ie the provinces of Huambo and Bié, are currently taking advantage of the new power transmission plants and the Executive is seeking funding for similar investments in the southern areas of Huila, Namibe and Kunene.
Projects are also being prepared for the eastern region, namely the provinces of Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Moxico and Cuando Cubango.
The government is also committed to harnessing solar energy through the installation of photovoltaic parks, two of which are already feeding energy into the national grid.
The projection is to reach an 80 percent clean energy rate within three years, he claimed.
According to official assessments, the national energy policy provides for the growth of generation park, strengthening the role of renewable energy, increasing electrification, and greater inflow of capital and private know-how from domestic and foreign companies.
According to ministerial calculations, the electrification rate for the industry has so far reached just under 43 percent.
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