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Eni, Sonangol to build Solenova 50-
MW solar project in Angola
GLOBAL ITALY’S Eni and Angola’s Sonangol are to 2019 to assess and develop renewable energy
develop the Caraculo solar photovoltaic (PV) opportunities in Angola. The new company will
project in Namibe Province of Angola. focus on utility-scale solar projects and support
Eni and Sonangol have signed a contract to the country’s energy strategy to reach 800 MW of
create a joint venture named Solenova. It reached installed renewable capacity by 2025.
final investment decision (FID) stage and signed Eni has traditionally been active in the oil-
a contract to develop a 50-MW project in phases. rich Angolan territory producing 33mn barrels
The first phase of the project will be for 25 of oil and condensate annually. The company
MW and the project should start operations in is looking at strategies to decarbonise the local
the last quarter of 2022. energy sector.
The Caraculo PV plant will be an important In October, President of the Republic of
source of renewable electrical power in Namibe Angola João Gonçalves Lourenço and the CEO
Province, which currently relies heavily on die- of Eni, Claudio Descalzi, Eni Angola, ANPG
sel for electricity generation. The installation of and Sonangol signed a memorandum of under-
the solar PV plant should reduce emissions and standing (MoU) for the joint development of the
increase energy independence for the region. agro-biofuel sector in the country.
In addition, Eni suggests the project will pos- The partnership will see the development of a
itively contribute to the sustainable development circular economy approach, assessing in particu-
of communities in the surrounding areas. This lar the development of low-ILUC (indirect land‐
would be through increased access to energy, use change) cultivations such as castor beans on
water, health and education. degraded lands and cover crops in rotation with
Solenova Ltd was signed into being in June cereals.
Week 49 09•December•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P9
