Luanda: Angola and Namibia signed a cooperation agreement on Tuesday in Luanda to implement a joint project to interconnect the two countries' electrical systems. The agreement, signed by Angola's National Electricity Transmission Network (RNT) and Namibia's Nampower, establishes the principles of technical, institutional, and financial cooperation for the project's coordinated development in the two countries' respective territories.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the signing was witnessed by Angola's Minister of Energy and Water, Joo Baptista Borges, and Namibia's Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Modestus Tshitumbu Amutse. The project is expected to interconnect the two electrical systems, representing an important step towards strengthening regional energy integration and security of supply, particularly in southern Angola.
The project involves the construction of approximately 160 kilometers of 400 kV electricity transmission line in Angola, as well as the expansion of the Cahama substation in the southern Cunene province. It will enable the initial export of up to 500 MW of electricity to Namibia, 300 MW of which will be subject to a 'take or pay' agreement, with the remainder intended for the regional markets of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Angolan Energy Minister stated that the agreement transcends the legal aspect, as it consolidates a partnership based on political trust and mutual respect. 'Regional integration is the sure path to shared prosperity. For Angola, this project forms part of the national strategy for expanding electricity production and transmission, which emphasizes the country's commitment to the region's energy integration,' said the Angolan minister.
Joo Baptista Borges also emphasized that the African continent requires robust infrastructure and intelligent alliances to reduce asymmetries and strengthen regional markets. He emphasized that the realization of the project would reinforce Angola's position as a key player in the SADC community's energy sector, promoting sustainable progress and improving living conditions for populations in both states.
