Sonangol, Angola’s state oil company, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese firm Qinghai Lihao Clean Energy to establish a partnership aimed at developing a photovoltaic solar energy industrial chain in Angola.
The agreement focuses on the production of solar panels using locally sourced quartz ore as the primary raw material.
According to a statement from Sonangol, the partnership will lead to the creation of a solar panel industry in Angola, integrating quartz mining with the production of metallurgical silicon and polysilicon—essential components in the manufacturing of photovoltaic panels.
This initiative aligns with Angola’s energy transition strategy, leveraging solar energy as a key element in the country’s shift towards renewable energy sources.
The project envisions an initial production capacity of 50,000 tons of metallurgical silicon and polysilicon annually, with future expansion to 180,000 tons of metallurgical silicon and 150,000 tons of polysilicon per year.
Gaspar Martins, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sonangol, and Wang Fu, CEO of Qinghai Lihao Clean Energy, signed the agreement.
This partnership represents a significant step in Angola’s efforts to add value to its mineral resources by focusing on domestic transformation, rather than exporting raw materials without added benefits.
