On April 2^nd, 2024, H.E. Mr. João Baptista Borges, the Minister of Energy and Water of the Republic of Angola, proudly inaugurated the Saurimo solar photovoltaic plant in the Province of Lunda Sul.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of notable public figures including the Governor of Lunda Sul, the Secretary of State of Energy, as well as ambassadors from the United States of America, South Korea, and Portugal. Additionally, esteemed members of the Government of Lunda Sul, the Ministry of Energy and Water, along with several distinguished guests, participated in this momentous occasion.

Implemented over a period of 23 months, the Saurimo photovoltaic plant boasts an impressive installed capacity of 26.14 MWp, providing clean electrical energy at the 15 kV level to cater to approximately 171 thousand people. This innovative solution is projected to yield significant environmental benefits, saving over 19 million litres of fuel annually and mitigating more than 68 thousand tons of CO2 emissions per year. Such initiatives align with Angola's commitment to the Glasgow United Nations Climate Change Conference of November 2021, emphasising the nation's dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Saurimo photovoltaic plant is part of one of the most ambitious integrated public renewable energy programs in sub-Saharan Africa – a momentous undertaking designed to deliver seven photovoltaic plants, with one million solar panels, delivering 370 MW of clean, sustainable, and reliable energy to over one million people in Angola. The programme encompasses two additional photovoltaic plants in Biópio (188 MWp) and Baia Farta (96 MWp), which are already contributing power to the grid. Additionally, four other photovoltaic plants are currently under construction in Luena (26.9 MWp), Lucapa (7.2 MWp), Bailundo (7.99 MWp), and Cuito (14.65 MWp).

Dar provided extensive consultancy services – including design checking, witnessing factory acceptance testing (FAT), supervising site works, and witnessing testing and commissioning procedures – to deliver this exceptional new photovoltaic plant for the communities of Angola.