Angola’s Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, held meetings in Beijing last week with Wang Hongzhi, Director-General of China’s National Energy Administration, and Wang Bo, Chairman of China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), to deepen bilateral co-operation and mobilise investment.

The parties agreed to establish a joint working group to identify priority projects and prepare a memorandum of understanding on energy and water co-operation. Technical meetings are also planned to advance the formalisation of specific investment and co-operation agreements.

According to the minister, Angola’s electrification rate is slightly above 50 per cent, and the Government aims to increase it to more than 75 per cent over the next ten years. Priorities include identifying projects eligible for financing, training Angolan professionals, transferring technology and modernising the electricity system.

The importance of expanding Chinese companies’ participation in the operation and maintenance of infrastructure and establishing medium- and long-term partnerships was also highlighted.

At the meeting with CMEC, the parties examined new electricity generation projects and energy storage solutions relevant to the stability of the power system and the integration of renewable energy sources. They also discussed opportunities in water resources, particularly water supply, irrigation and drought mitigation.

(Source: O País, 4 November)