A subsidiary of French oil and gas company, Total – Independent Power Producer (IPP), Total Eren, has obtained the agreement of the Angolan government to build a 35 MWp photovoltaic solar power plant in Lubango, in the Huila province. The project is being developed together with Greentech-Angola Environment Technology.

Both partners recently signed an agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Water, Angola for the construction of the photovoltaic solar power plant, which is to have a capacity of 35 MWp.

Total Eren will own 75% of the plant while Greentech-Angola Environment Technology is to hold 25%. The plant is to be financed, built and operated by both companies.

The solar project is in line with the Angolan government’s target to attract foreign investment and to promote renewable energies to reach an installed capacity of 800 MW by 2025. However, Total said it is holding talks with the national oil company, Sonangol, for possible participation in the clean energy project.

The Executive Vice President and Global Head of Business Development for Total Eren, Fabienne Demol, said the power plant is to bring about “significant” fuel savings compared to the existing thermal power plants.

Fabienne Demol said, “After a detailed feasibility study carried out in close collaboration with the Angolan authorities and key stakeholders over the past few months, this memorandum of understanding marks an important and concrete step towards the implementation of the project. We now look forward to the next steps in the development of the project.”

The project is to be implemented in collaboration with the National Transport Network (RNT), the Institute for the Regulation of Water and Electricity Services (IRSEA) and the Public Electricity Production Company (PRODEL).