Improvement in renewable production puts thermal power stations on standby
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Angolan Public Electricity Production Company (PRODEL), Pedro Afonso, said that the thermoelectric power stations remain on standby and are only available to meet possible load compensation in the event of a hydrological deficit. This information was provided during the 1st CPLP Energy and Climate Seminar on 2nd July, in Lisbon.
PRODEL's main manager, who represented the Ministry of Energy and Water (MINEA) at the event, revealed that "renewable sources account for 91% of the energy consumed in Angola, with hydroelectric production accounting for 87%, while solar accounts for around 4%. In the interconnected system (North-Center), consumption is 100% renewable (+Green).
Angola's process of using solar sources began in 2018 with the installation of hybrid power stations combining solar and thermal energy in isolated grids. This pioneering project achieved significant success, which boosted the transition to large-scale solar structuring projects.
For Pedro Afonso, investments in energy infrastructure are taking place all over the country, to promote the diversification of the energy matrix through a focus on renewable energy sources, in particular hydro and solar. These investments aim to reduce the environmental impact, and guarantee the sustainability of the sector and the country's economic and social development.
"With the penetration of clean energies, Angola has saved around 876 million liters of fuel in 8 years. If we consider 1 liter of diesel at 135 kwanzas during this period, the Angolan government has saved around 118. 260,000,000 (one hundred and eighteen thousand two hundred and sixty million kwanzas)", he said.