Sonangol and the Chinese company Qinghai Lihao Clean Energy signed a MOU to establish the production of photovoltaic panels using quartz ore as the primary raw material. The planned factory will have an annual production capacity of 180,000 tons of metallurgical silicon and 150,000 tons of polysilicon.

The two centres (Lubango and Matala) are training young people in the installation and maintenance of solar systems. In addition, the systems provide continuous access to clean energy, guaranteeing the ongoing training of young people, and the efficient and uninterrupted operation of infrastructure, irrigation systems.

The Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States has approved a $1.6 billion loan to the American company Sun Africa and its partners ING Capital and Omatapalo for a solar mini-grid project in southern Angola.

The 65 new solar mini-grids will power water collection, treatment, and purification systems, addressing critical needs in areas with scarce access to clean drinking water and reliable electricity. EXIM President highlighted the project’s alignment with the bank’s commitment to advancing renewable energy and supporting U.S. exporters.

Several provinces in the south of Angola have been earmarked to benefit from a solar project aimed at increasing access to electricity and potable drinking water.

A solar home system project in Angola is set to provide electricity to at least 350,000 people, the majority of whom live in rural areas. The project is set to span over four of the country’s 18 provinces. Off-Grid Europe, an Alliance for Rural Electrification member, also announced plans to open a subsidiary, Off-Grid Angola.

Historically, Angola has been heavily dependent on oil, with oil export revenues in 2012 accounting for a staggering 97% of the government’s total export revenue. Angola’s recent shift toward renewable resources is a bold, future-driven vision, marking a major turning point in the nation’s economic trajectory.

The funds will be used to set up 48 hybrid photovoltaic generation systems with energy storage that will serve as “mini grids” and operate autonomously to provide renewable electricity for communities not connected to the national grid, a statement said last week. The planned solar facilities are expected to serve about 203,000 households.

The goals show the country’s electrification rate increase from 43% in 2022 to 53% in 2030 and 72% by 2050. In terms of renewable energies (including hydroelectric), the percentage of energy supply that, since 2022, is around 56% will increase to 70%, by 2030, and 94%, in 2050.

RASME is a set of real-time digital data-gathering tools and processes that allow the Bank, its clients, and development partners to better prepare projects and progress reports and evaluate impact transparently and openly.