Friday, January 20, 2023 – 3:20 PM
ABU DHABI, 20th January, 2020 (WAM) — The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar, announced during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023 the signing of agreements with three African countries, Angola, Uganda and Zambia, to develop renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 5 gigawatts. These agreements come within the framework of Masdar’s commitment to contribute to supporting African countries to achieve the transition towards clean energy sources.
The agreements were signed under the umbrella of the “Union 7” programme, an initiative launched by His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State, during the last session of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. This initiative aims to raise funds from the public and private sectors to invest in the development of renewable energy projects in Africa with a total capacity of up to 20 gigawatts and to provide clean electricity to 100 million people by 2035.
On this occasion, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State, affirmed that, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, to support sustainable development and renewable energy solutions in African countries, the UAE is striving To support this sector due to its great potential that contributes to economic and climate growth in Africa. For this reason, the UAE launched the “Etihad 7” program last year during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a program dedicated to accelerating the deployment of clean energy projects across Africa, and providing clean electricity to 100 million people by 2035. Pointing out that the agreements signed During this year’s session of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, it reflects the importance of the pioneering steps taken by the UAE in this field, which contributed to achieving important achievements during the past year.
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, President-designate of the COP28 Conference, Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Masdar” said: “In line with the vision of the leadership in the UAE to build bridges of cooperation and support progress towards achieving sustainable development by focusing on solutions Renewable energy and climate action, the country is committed to promoting sustainable development in the countries of the South, especially in friendly African countries.Following the signing of an agreement to develop renewable energy projects with a capacity of 2 gigawatts in Tanzania last year, these important agreements aim to provide up to 5 gigawatts of Energy in Angola, Uganda and Zambia, to contribute to improving the standard of living of local communities and to support African countries in advancing economic development efforts simultaneously with progress towards achieving climate neutrality.
The agreements signed under the umbrella of the “Union 7” program during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023 include: an agreement with the Angolan Ministry of Energy and Water to develop renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 2 gigawatts, an agreement with the Ugandan Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to develop renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 1 gigawatt, and an agreement With the Zambian Ministry of Energy and the Zambian National Utilities to develop solar, wind and hydropower projects with a total capacity of 2 GW.
His Excellency João Baptista Borges, Minister of Energy and Water of the Republic of Angola, said: “This agreement between the Government of Angola and Masdar to develop projects with a capacity of 2 gigawatts represents an important step towards achieving the transition towards clean energy at an affordable cost. The project will contribute to improving production capacity and creating job opportunities, and enhancing access to electricity for the people of Angola. We look forward to consolidating the relationship between the two countries and enhancing joint work.”
Her Excellency Ruth Nankaberwa Sentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of the Republic of Uganda, said: “We in the Government of Uganda are pleased to partner with Masdar that will allow the addition of one gigawatt of renewable energy to Uganda’s production capacity, which greatly supports the achievement of our goal of providing electricity supplies in across the country, as well as our energy transition goals, and we look forward to developing this project and completing it within the specified time frame.”
Engineer Victor Benjamin Mabanee, CEO of Zambia Utilities Company ZESCO, said: “This historic agreement between Masdar and ZESCO marks an important milestone as both parties develop solar energy projects with a total capacity of 2 GW within the next ten years. “ZESCO, and the country of Zambia as a whole, the production of clean energy complementary to hydropower is of utmost importance to ensure energy security. We are confident that Masdar is the ideal partner for us, and that this partnership will achieve mutual benefit for both parties.”
For his part, Mohammed Jamil Al-Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, said: “Masdar aims, within the framework of the new partner structure that took place last December, to raise its production capacity of clean energy to 100 gigawatts by 2030. And given the expectations that indicate While Africa will witness high growth rates, we see huge opportunities to enhance and raise the share of the African renewable energy sector, especially in light of the low levels of clean energy production there at the present time.These important agreements that were signed on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week activities will support the achievement of The goals of these countries are related to clean energy, and the advancement of sustainable economic development in them.
Last August, Masdar signed an agreement with Tanzania Electricity Company Limited, Tanesco, to develop renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 2 gigawatts, within the framework of the “Union 7” programme. The two parties are currently working on completing the establishment of a joint venture company in order to strengthen this strategic partnership. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), less than half of the population in sub-Saharan Africa has access to electricity. Africa produces only 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. According to a specialized report issued last year by Masdar and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, with analytical support from McKinsey & Company, Africa has a theoretical capacity of about 850 terawatts of solar and wind energy.
“Masdar” has a prominent presence in the African market, as it has already established, in partnership with the Egyptian “Infinity”, the “Infinity Power” company, to explore the opportunities available in the African continent. Masdar, Infinity Power and Hassan Allam Utilities also signed an agreement with the Egyptian government to develop an onshore wind power plant with a capacity of 10 gigawatts, which is considered one of the largest in the world. The three companies are also cooperating to develop projects in the field of green hydrogen in Egypt, aiming to produce up to 480 thousand tons of green hydrogen annually, through electrolyzers with a capacity of 4 gigawatts by 2030. Masdar also has projects in Mauritania, Morocco and Seychelles.
Zakaria Mohieldin / Ahmed Al Nuaimi
