Cape Verde aims to anticipate the 50% renewable energy target planned for 2030

The Prime Minister of Cape Verde, Ulisses Correia e Silva, said on November 9th, that the country aims to anticipate the target of 50% of energy production from renewable energies set for 2030, given the new projects that are being developed.

“The energy transition will be accelerated. Around 40 MW of new solar and wind capacity will be completed in 2023”, said Ulisses Correia e Silva, at the opening of the parliamentary debate.

“A memorandum of understanding was signed with Cabeolica to increase wind production capacity in the country, here in Praia, from 11 to 24 MW, the structuring project for the hydro pumping plant in Santiago is in preparation for operation in 2026”, he added.

Thermal power stations currently provide around 80% of the electricity produced in Cape Verde, and the country does not have any refining capacity, therefore importing these fuels.

According to Ulisses Correia e Silva, a “strong energy efficiency plan, through efficient management and technologies, more efficient consumption and loss reduction” will also be implemented in 2023.

“With the solar projects awarded to independent producers for the islands of Sal, Boa Vista and São Vicente, the small-scale solar projects on the remaining islands that are being developed, with these investments, will provide conditions to exceed 30% of the implementation of the renewable energies in 2025”, he pointed out.

“With the strategic projects already identified and being negotiated with partners, the conditions will be created for Cape Verde to exceed the target of 50% renewable energy in 2030 and perhaps sooner”, added the prime minister.

He also recognized that the energy transition "is a great opportunity for private investment, and job creation", in a market "with a good regulatory framework, tax and financial incentives and the supply of qualified human resources through the service".