The 14th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) commenced on April 17, 2024, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Angola is participating as one of the vice-presidents alongside the Dominican Republic, Georgia, and Iraq, under the presidency of Rwanda. Representing Angola at the event were His Excellency João Baptista Borges, Minister of Energy and Water, and Júlio Maiato, Angola’s Ambassador to the UAE and Permanent Representative to IRENA.
The assembly’s opening day featured a high-level plenary session focusing on IRENA’s executive overview, which emphasized the goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity. Member states shared updates on their progress toward renewable energy objectives established by the 169 participating countries. Ambassador Júlio Maiato facilitated the day’s final session in his capacity as Angola’s Permanent Representative.
Minister João Baptista Borges expressed pride in Angola’s role as a vice-president and extended congratulations to Rwanda for its leadership, as well as to the other vice-presidents. He highlighted the severe challenges posed by climate change in Africa, including Angola’s own struggles with drought, water scarcity, desertification, and limited infrastructure.
Borges noted that Angola’s electricity generation capacity has risen from 2.4 GW in 2015 to 6.2 GW within eight years. The share of hydroelectric power in Angola’s energy mix has grown from 39% to approximately 60%, while reliance on thermal power has decreased from 61% to around 36% since 2015. These improvements are largely attributed to significant investments, such as the completion of the 2 GW Laúca Hydroelectric Plant and ongoing construction of the Caculo-Cabaça Hydroelectric Plant, which will help Angola reach a total capacity of 9 GW.
The minister also highlighted completed photovoltaic projects like the Biopio Plant (188.80 MW) and the Baía Farta Plant (96.70 MW), which together contribute about 4% of the country’s public electricity supply. These projects have enabled Angola to save 3 million tons of fossil fuel annually, reducing carbon emissions by roughly 9 million tons. The first phase of the Caraculo Photovoltaic Plant (25 MW) is underway, aiming for a total capacity of 50 MW.
Angola’s electrification rate has increased to 43%, while diesel consumption for thermal plants has been reduced by nearly 60%, from 1.36 billion liters in 2015 to 560 million liters in 2023. However, Borges acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in expanding the energy transmission network to distribute the available 2 GW of energy. Plans are in place to establish interconnections with neighboring countries, including Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to facilitate intra-African energy trade and monetize surplus energy.
The minister outlined reforms in the energy sector, including the implementation of new legal frameworks for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to operate competitively. This will allow IPPs to sell energy to the public grid through Power Purchase Agreements. Additionally, Borges discussed the 2023-2027 Energy Sector Action Plan, which aligns with Angola’s 2050 Long-Term Agenda. The plan aims to integrate 72% renewable energy into the national grid, including 1.2 GW of solar energy by 2027, with a target of achieving a 50% electrification rate. This transformation will require an estimated $12 billion in investment, with significant contributions expected from financial institutions and the private sector.
Several new photovoltaic solar parks are set to be completed this year, increasing solar capacity by 584.50 MW and incorporating 90 MW with 25 MWh of battery storage. Two major electrification projects are also underway in Angola’s eastern and southern provinces, aiming to provide electricity to over 6 million people across 132 localities. These projects will primarily rely on solar systems with storage and associated distribution networks, reducing construction timelines significantly.
On the sidelines of the assembly, Minister Borges held bilateral meetings with São Tomé and Príncipe’s Minister of Infrastructure and Mineral Resources to share Angola’s experience in leading the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). Discussions with financial institutions such as the IFC of the World Bank and the African Development Bank (ADB) focused on securing financing for sustainable energy solutions and collaboration with IRENA. Borges also engaged with potential investors in renewable energy projects, particularly those targeting rural areas and private sector initiatives. Investors expressed strong interest in supporting Angola’s energy transition through knowledge transfer, technology implementation, and innovative solutions.
