Phase 1 of Caraculo solar power plant project goes into service

The Caraculo photovoltaic solar power plant in Namibe province, Angola, has officially entered service in its first phase.

The inauguration ceremony of the Caraculo photovoltaic solar power plant was attended by several Angolan officials, including the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, and the Minister in charge of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges.

Minister Diamantino Azevedo described the commissioning of the solar power plant as a significant step towards transforming Sonangol from an oil company into an energy company, aligning its commercial activities with global industry practices. The project was developed under a PPP between the Angolan government and Solenova, a joint venture between Eni and Sonangol.

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Caraculo solar power plant

The first phase of the Caraculo solar power plant adds 25 MWp (megawatt peak) of solar power to Angola’s electricity mix. Solenova has plans to expand the plant’s capacity to 50 MWp in the future. It was developed through a public-private partnership (PPP) involving the Italian oil company Eni and Angola’s national oil company, Sonangol.

The establishment of the solar park is expected to bring several benefits to the province of Namibe. It will provide cheaper electricity, a reliable source of energy throughout the year, and significant fuel cost savings. Additionally, the project has created employment opportunities for over 400 residents of the province, who will be involved in the daily management of the plant, leading to a positive social impact.

Moreover, the Caraculo solar power plant contributes to Angola’s efforts to diversify its electricity mix. Currently, the country relies on dams for 56% of its electricity production, so the introduction of solar power will help reduce dependency on hydropower and promote a more balanced and sustainable energy generation portfolio.