Luanda - Angola already has a production capacity of 14 megawatts of solar energy, installed in rural areas, in order to reduce the deficit of these areas, informed Wednesday in Luanda, the Secretary of State for 'Energy, António Belsa da Costa.

In the field of solar energy, Angola operates small systems in the areas most affected by the energy shortage in the provinces of Bié, Cuando Cubango, Zaire, Lunda Sul, Moxico, Lunda Norte, Cunene, Huíla and Cuanza Sul.

In addition to the installation and extension of the photovoltaic solar energy system in the public network, the country has other sources of electricity production, in particular the Soyo combined cycle power plant, the dams of Cambambe, Lauca, Capanda and Caculo Cabaça, which will see the country reach 7,000 megawatts by the end of 2022.

The Secretary of State, who was speaking at the International Forum on Renewable Energy under the theme "Solutions for sustainable economic development", stressed that the sector was growing and that with the introduction into the energy matrix of renewable energy sources, there will be a reduction in expenditure for the purchase of fuel intended for the production of energy from the public energy production company (PRODEL).

For Belsa da Costa, holding forums on the subject will facilitate the dissemination of the country's energy valences and attract investors to the sector.

“With the development of the Renewable Energy Atlas, Angola’s natural potential has expanded. The World Bank and BCG are providing guidance to improve incentives so that entrepreneurs can actually support us and invest,” did he declare. Public lighting by solar panels

Four thousand seven hundred and eighty-five solar photovoltaic public lighting posts will be installed by the Ministry of Energy and Water, in accordance with the renewable energy program to be implemented 2018-2022.

Based on the program, the installed capacity will be 1011 Kwp-1Mwp and will also include the installation of 686 photovoltaic solar system kits and 315 electrical installations.

The priority projects are the wind farms of Kiwaba Nziji I (Malanje) of 62 MW, Kiwaba Nziji II (Malanje) of 42 MW, Mussende I (Cuanza Sul) of 36 MW, Mussende II (Cuanza Sul) of 44 MW, Gastão ( Cuanza Norte) with 30 MW, Caculo (Huila) with 88 MW, Chibita (Huila) with 78 MW, Benjamim (Benguela) with 52 MW, Nharea (Bié) with 36 MW and Calenga (Huambo) with 84 MW.

As part of the activities of the Ministry of Energy and Water, two renewable energy projects are underway, including the implementation of solar energy systems and wind mapping in Angola. The implementation of solar energy systems aims at the electrification of rural areas, with the installation of autonomous photovoltaic solar systems in social infrastructures, including schools, police stations, medical stations, administrative buildings, public lighting stations, among others.

Wind mapping in Angola has enabled the development of wind and solar resource maps of the country and has the ultimate objective of identifying areas with better wind and solar energy.