Proposal for Developing Angola’s New Energy Industry (Excerpt)

    Angola covers a land area of 1.2467 million square kilometers, with a population of 35.6 million in 2022. Angola is located in southwestern Africa, bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, with a land area of 2.3448 million square kilometers and a population of 102.3 million in 2023) to the north and northeast, Zambia to the east (with a land area of 0.7526 million square kilometers and a population of 18.9 million in 2021), and Namibia to the south (with a land area of 0.8242 million square kilometers and a population of 2.59 million in 2021). To the west, Angola faces the Atlantic Ocean, and its exclave of Cabinda Province neighbors the Republic of the Congo (with a land area of 0.342 million square kilometers and a population of 5.66 million in 2021) and the DRC, serving as one of the key maritime gateways for central and southern Africa. and a coastline stretching 1,600 kilometers. The country has an average elevation of 1,200 meters, with most regions experiencing a tropical savanna climate. The capital is Luanda. Angola possesses abundant high-quality petroleum resources, with oil and gas revenues accounting for approximately 60% of its economy. However, the sustained decline in international oil prices in recent years has impacted the growth of Angola’s national income.

1. Overview of Angola’s Energy Structure

    Hydropower accounts for about two-thirds of Angola’s electricity consumption, while heavy oil and a small portion of solar power contribute to the remaining one-third. The national electricity distribution is uneven, with severe gaps in supply. The distribution is characterized by higher availability in the west than in the east, and more in the north than in the south, with major grids operating independently. The central and southern grids have limited coverage, and the eastern regions lack an established power network. The majority of the electricity supply is concentrated in the north, with the capital Luanda as the core area. In Angola, 45% of electricity is used for household consumption, 32% for services, and 9% for industry. Due to the absence of smart grid upgrades, the annual power grid loss rate reaches 14%.

    In recent years, Angola’s electricity consumption has grown at an annual rate of over 15%. By 2025, demand is projected to reach 7,200 MW. Given Angola’s vast territory and dispersed population, remote areas and low-income communities primarily rely on small hydropower stations, diesel generators, and solar power for electricity.

    In Angola, the photovoltaic (PV) power generation offers advantages such as quick installation, low maintenance costs, and long-term operational efficiency. And Angola receives an average solar irradiance of 5.4 kilowatt-hours per square meter per day (World Bank data), higher than most African countries, making solar energy one of the most promising renewable energy sources for Angola. ... Developing PV power in communities and towns with populations exceeding 3,000 presents certain advantages. However, the initial construction costs for PV projects remain high.

    Angola also possesses significant wind energy potential, particularly along its coastal regions (especially the southern coast), where conditions are favorable for wind power generation. ...

2. Angola’s Mineral Resources

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3. Opportunities and Challenges for China’s New Energy Development

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