Rio de Janeiro: The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, expressed on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that Angola has been taking its climate action program very seriously, with the aim of effectively contributing to reducing the adverse effects of environmental pollution. The President made these remarks during the 19th G20 Summit, specifically in the ‘3rd Session: Sustainable Development and Transition’, which has been ongoing since Monday in Rio de Janeiro.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the country is actively working to modify its electricity production matrix, shifting towards cleaner sources of energy. President Lourenço highlighted that 64% of Angola’s energy is generated from clean sources, with 60% derived from hydroelectric dams and 4% from photovoltaic solar energy panel parks. This initiative forms part of Angola’s efforts to adhere to international agreements, particularly the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, by promoting energy transition through functional mechanisms.
The P
resident stated that Angola aims to broaden its contribution to the energy transition in Southern Africa by offering surplus clean energy production to neighboring countries. To achieve this, the private sector is encouraged to participate in public-private partnerships to construct electricity transmission lines throughout the Southern African region. President Lourenço emphasized the disparity between developed countries, which possess the investment capacity and expertise in renewable energy technologies, and low- and middle-income countries, which face challenges in implementing these technologies.
He urged for a balanced and realistic approach in the adoption of supranational laws that limit the extractive industry, particularly oil production, to avoid extreme solutions. President Lourenço cautioned that such measures could potentially hinder the development efforts of the neediest countries and exacerbate poverty among populations.