Masdar, a major renewable energy company, has won a competitive Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to develop the Quipungo Solar PV project. This milestone fulfills the first contracted facility under Project Royal Sable. This ambitious program aims to install 500 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy in three different regions throughout Angola. On the whole, it will make the country’s energy landscape far more robust.
The 5-MW Quipungo Solar PV project is situated in Huila Province. It will be instrumental in providing electricity to Angola’s growing southern power grid. The project will provide power through an arrangement with Rede Nacional de Transporte de Electricidade, the state-owned transmission company, thus ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy supply for local communities.
The PPA was formally signed on the margins of the 16th IRENA Assembly. IRENA H.E. Francesco LaCamera, the director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), welcomed this noteworthy milestone. This cooperative agreement will help advance Angola’s national energy development plans to reinforce their southern grid. In addition, it seeks to bring electricity access to an estimated 300,000 new homes in the region.
Masdar runs renewable energy projects in nine African countries through its joint venture, Infinity Power. Masdar currently operates assets totaling 1.3 gigawatts (GW) and has a development pipeline of 13.8 GW. Armed with such capabilities, the company is surely one to make heavy inroads toward the continent’s ambitious renewable energy targets.
The Quipungo Solar PV project will the increase generation capacity to over 1700kW. It is projected to generate more than 2,000 jobs, fueling economic development across Angola.
“The Quipungo PPA demonstrates how long-term partnerships and structured offtake arrangements can accelerate the deployment of utility-scale renewables that support national clean energy ambitions, economic development and job creation, providing reliable, affordable clean power to local communities.” – Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi
At the national level, Masdar has partnered with Angola to turn national energy strategies into tangible projects. Together, their partnership has the potential to further build a cleaner, more sustainable future.
“The Quipungo PPA, signed at the 16th IRENA Assembly, is a testimony of the work and commitment that the UAE and Masdar, supported through IRENA’s Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform, are doing to turn national energy plans into concrete projects.” – H.E. Francesco LaCamera