Angola Inaugurates Sub-Saharan Africa’s Largest Off-Grid Solar Park, Bringing Power To 130,000 Residents

The Angolan government has officially inaugurated the largest off-grid photovoltaic solar park in sub-Saharan Africa, marking a major step forward in delivering reliable electricity to remote communities. The new facility will provide continuous power for the first time to more than 130,000 people living in the isolated region of Moxico Leste, over 1,500 kilometres away from the capital city, Luanda.

The project is located in the capital of the newly established province of Moxico Leste and was inaugurated on Wednesday. It was developed and constructed by the Portuguese company MCA. The solar park uses advanced technology, including a large battery energy storage system and Blackstart capability, which enables the power system to restart automatically in case of an outage. According to MCA’s Chief Operating Officer, Elisabete Alves, this feature will help prevent major blackouts, similar to the one experienced in Portugal earlier this year. She also noted that this project represents the first fully renewable power plant in Angola.

The solar installation is part of a broader national electrification plan by the Angolan government to supply electricity to 60 remote locations. The initiative aims to reach more than 200,000 households and improve the quality of life for nearly one million citizens. The Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, said that the total investment for the programme exceeds US$1 billion, equal to about €862 million.

The impact of the new solar park is expected to be significant. Along with providing 24-hour power access to approximately 136,000 residents, the plant is projected to save nearly 10 million litres of fuel each year. Transporting fuel to such remote areas is costly and logistically difficult, making solar energy a more practical alternative. The minister described the project as a historic achievement for Angola, noting that it represents progress, inclusion, and energy independence.

The environmental benefits are also notable, with an estimated reduction of 37,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The power facility features a 25-megawatt (MW) solar plant supported by 75 MW of battery storage and includes more than 40,000 solar panels manufactured in South Korea. The wider solar development programme also includes installations across Bié, Malanje, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Moxico and Moxico Leste, with a total planned capacity of 256 MWp and 595 MWh of storage.

Local authorities believe the project will stimulate regional economic growth by supporting agricultural activity, industry, and new employment opportunities. The governor of Moxico Leste, Crispiniano dos Santos, expressed optimism that improved infrastructure and reliable electricity will attract private investment and strengthen living conditions in the province, which has a population of around 411,000 people.

In addition to the solar project, MCA is developing a water treatment system that will draw water from the Zambezi River and supply it to local residents. This project is expected to be completed by July 2027 and forms part of a national water sector initiative covering 49 locations in five provinces, with an investment of €870 million.