The Republic of Angola has announced the completion of the 7.19 megawatts photovoltaic solar plant which was under construction since 2022, in the municipality of Lucapa, Lunda Norte province.
The Southwestern African nation plans to commence electricity generation from the plant in October this year.
The energy project will ensure the supply of electricity, via the solar system, to more than 24,000 families in the district that is more than 100 kilometers from the city of Dundo.
The municipal administrator of Lucapa, Agostinho Paiva, who disclosed this stressed that the definitive load tests are currently underway for the start of operation of the project with 12,900 solar panels.
He said that the project started in 2022 is practically completed and also covers the expansion of the distribution network, 1,700 household connections and public lighting.
He informed that the installation of the ten Transformer Poles (PT) foreseen in the project, 22 kilometers of the low voltage line, 600 poles, with the respective connections, are also completed, with only the placement of luminaires in some missing.
The plant installed in an area of 13.52 hectares, is valued at 19,706,428 euros, 80 percent of which is financed by Sweden and 20% by South Africa.
Currently, electricity in the municipality of Lucapa is produced through generator sets, from private individuals, which charge 40 to 60 thousand kwanzas per month, the consumption of the product.
Angola is being a pioneer in the field of renewable energy installation, with seven projects in the provinces of Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Moxico, Benguela, Bié and Huambo.
The authorities expect solar energy to benefit about 1.2 million families across the country, with a view to promoting access to clean and cheap electricity.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com