Construction has commenced on Angola’s largest privately funded photovoltaic power plant in Lubango, Huíla Province, with an investment of $35 million, the project’s promoters have announced.
The Quilemba Solar plant is being developed by a joint venture comprising TotalEnergies (51%), Sonangol (30%), and Maurel & Prom (19%).
The facility is expected to begin electricity production in April 2026 and aims to benefit approximately 40,000 households in the provincial capital.
The project will initially generate 35 megawatts (MW) of power, with plans to expand capacity to 80 MW in a second phase.
The solar farm will occupy an 80-hectare site and feature 60,000 high-efficiency bifacial photovoltaic panels.
According to the developers, the project has already created over 150 local jobs, spanning from construction to operational stages.
The Quilemba Solar plant is expected to significantly reduce Angola’s reliance on diesel fuel, cutting consumption by approximately 29 million litres annually.
This will in turn lower carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year and generate substantial cost savings.
Sebastião Martins, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Sonangol, emphasized that this marks the company’s second solar energy initiative and will contribute to reducing refined fuel imports by around 20 million litres.
Martin Deffontaines, Managing Director and Country Chair of TotalEnergies Angola, stated that Quilemba Solar aligns with TotalEnergies’ broader multi-energy strategy. He also noted that the plant has been granted a 28-year concession.
