Biopio Solar Power Station

Biopio Solar Power Station
Map
CountryAngola
LocationBiópio, Catumbela, Benguela Province
Coordinates12°28′06″S 13°44′37″E / 12.46833°S 13.74361°E / -12.46833; 13.74361
StatusOperational
Construction beganMarch 2021
Commission date20 July 2022
Construction costUS$426.87 million
OwnersMinistry of Energy and Water, Angola
OperatorsMinistry of Energy and Water, Angola
Solar farm
TypeFlat-panel PV
Power generation
Nameplate capacity188.8 MW (253,200 hp)
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The Biopio Solar Power Station is an operational 189 MW (253,000 hp) solar power plant in Angola. The power station, which reached commercial commissioning on 20 October 2022, was developed by a consortium comprising (a) M.Couto Alves SA, a construction company based in Portugal (b) M. Couto Alves Vias SA, an energy consulting company based in Angola and (c) Sun Africa LLC, a renewable energy solutions company based in the United States. The power station is owned by the Angolan Ministry of Energy and Water. The power off-taker is Empresa Rede Nacional de Transporte de Electricidade (RNT-EP) (English: National Electricity Transmission Network).[1][2]

Location

The power station is located in Biópio, in the municipality of Catumbela, in Benguela Province.[3] Biopio is located approximately 52.6 kilometres (32.7 mi), southeast of downtown Catumbela.[4]

Overview

The power station is a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panel design. The solar farm occupies 436 hectares (1.68 sq mi), on which 509,040 solar panels were installed. The design calls for a generation capacity of 188.8 megawatts. Its output is sold directly to the Empresa Rede Nacional de Transporte de Electricidade (RNT), the national electricity transportation utility company, for integration into the national grid, under a long-term power purchase agreement.[1][5]

The Angolan government is in the process of expanding national electricity generation from 5.01 GW in 2021 to 9.9 GW by 2025, of which 800 MW is sourced from renewable sources.[6][7]

Developers and ownership

The table below illustrates the corporate entities who developed the solar farm and their countries of domicile.[1]

Biopio Solar Company Developers
Rank Name of Developer Domicile Specialty Notes
1 M. Couto Alves SA Portugal Construction [1]
2 M. Couto Alves Vias SA Angola Consultant [1]
2 Sun Africa United States Consultant, Finance & Management [1]

As of April 2023, the power station is reported to belong to the Angolan Ministry of Energy and Water.[1]

Construction and funding

The construction costs of this renewable energy infrastructure is reported as US$426.87 million.[1] The project receivd funding from (1) the Swedish Export Credit Corporation, South Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-Sure), and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Globaldata (30 April 2023). "Power plant profile: Biopio Solar PV Park, Angola". Power Technology. New York City. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  2. ^ Devex (9 June 2023). "Rede Nacional de Transporte de Electricidade". Devex.com. Washington, DC, United States. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  3. ^ Benoit-Ivan Wansi (17 August 2022). "Angola: In Benguela, two solar power plants (284 MWp) come into operation". Arik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Road Distance Between Biopio, Benguela Province, Angola and Catumbela, Angola" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  5. ^ Africa Press (20 July 2022). "President of the Republic inaugurates power stations in Baía Farta and Biopio". Africa-press.net. Dakar, Senegal. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Angola Country Commercial Guide: Energy". Privacyshield.gov. Washington, DC. April 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  7. ^ Economist Intelligence Unit (2 September 2014). "Angola Energy: Analysis & Forecasts by the EIU – The Economist". The Economist. London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  8. ^ Keletso Moilwe (31 May 2022). "Five Solar Projects to Watch in Angola". Energy Capital & Power. Cape Town, South Africa. Retrieved 9 June 2023.