The Angolan government has set a target of 9.9 GW of total installed capacity with a 60% electrification rate by 2025 and it is expected that hydropower capacity will account for 6.6 GW of the total target, says GlobalData. The leading data and analytics company notes that since hydropower is the primary source of power generation in the country, the government needs a well-planned infrastructure plan to ensure it meets its target.

Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan, Senior Power Analyst at GlobalData, says: “Increasing electric power availability to diversify the economy and meet the increasing energy demand of a growing population is among the Angolan government’s highest stated priorities. To achieve the targeted 9.9 GW of total installed capacity and a 60% electrification rate by 2025, the government has instituted an ambitious infrastructure plan. Current electrification rates are estimated at 43% in most cities and less than 10% in rural areas.”

According to GlobalData’s report, ‘Angola Power Market Size, Trends, Regulations, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2022-2035’, Angola’s energy demand is expected to witness a growing trend based on the electrification rate in provincial capitals, municipal townships and communal townships. The country is planning to give priority to grid extensions so that the maximum number of municipal and commune townships are electrified. To ensure a safe power supply, the country is increasing power capacity in all sub-systems and through a strong reliance on hydro and partially on gas and oil. The government’s success depends on how quickly and adequately it can execute this plan.

Angola’s National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) estimated the country’s low-cost hydroelectric energy potential to be around 18,000 GWh. The country hopes to meet its current and future needs by exploiting the maximum potential of hydropower and exporting surplus power to the region. The program also acknowledged the potential of reducing deforestation, clean energy solutions and small and micro scale power plants.

Saibasan adds: “Clean energy solutions are what most governments are looking towards for sustainable energy solutions. There are several success stories around small and micro-scale power plants, and it is one of the key areas of development in the African continent to provide electricity to remote areas where there is little or no grid connectivity.”