Day: March 17, 2023

Sonangol, through its Research and Development Center (CPD), and the National Electricity Transmission Network (RNT) signed this Thursday, in Luanda, a Memorandum of Understanding for the distribution of clean energy.

The Memorandum was signed by Orlando da Mata and Vladimir Machado, president of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the CPD, and Stefan Bollow, Gauff director general.

The chairman of the Board of Directors, Rui Gourgel, and its Executive Director, Mauro Martins, signed for the National Transport Network (RNT), according to the note sent by the oil company to ANGOP.

The agreement, according to Sonangol, outlines the guidelines for supplying electricity to the hydrogen and green ammonia production plant (generated by renewable energy or low-carbon energy), whose infrastructure will be built in Barra do Dande by the national carrier.

The initiative is part of Sonangol’s energy transition strategy and the search for renewable energy resources.

Within the framework of these actions, the national oil company has a partnership with the German companies Gauff GmbH & Co and Engineering Kg, and Conjuncta GmbH.

The signing of the Memorandum consolidates Sonangol’s position as a leader in the search for local solutions for the production of alternative fuels, from energy sources that preserve the environment.

At the opening of the session, Sonangol’s executive director, Olga Sabalo, stressed the essential support of the National Transport and Electricity Network for the materialization of the initiative.

“For the success of this project, considering the need to ensure the regular and uninterrupted availability of electricity from clean sources, we have the supply capacity to be provided by the RNT”, Olga Sabalo clarified.

On his turn, RNT’s director, Mauro Martins, highlighted the importance to support the institution he coordinates “(…) as a company that operates in the high voltage segment, it appears as a strategic partner to supply electricity, being the main raw material supporting the project’s production system”.

In a more technical analysis, the CPD’s chairman of the Executive Committee, Vladimir Machado, spoke about the next phases “the bases will be created for the parties to evaluate the terms and conditions for the energy purchase agreement.”

The German ambassador to Angola, Stefan Traumann, stressed the importance of the Memorandum for the implementation of the project, which will serve as a symbol of cooperation between the two countries, despite the scope of the relationship to other areas of common interest.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The National Assembly (Angolan parliament) this Friday unanimously approved the sending of a military contingent of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as part of the support and peacekeeping operations in the eastern region of that central African country.

The approval of the Angolan parliament is in response to a Request for Authorization from the President of the Republic, as Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), on the sending of the peacekeeping force to the neighbouring DRC.

During the V Extraordinary Plenary Session of the National Assembly, which had a single point on agenda, the MPs voted in favour, with no objections or votes against.

In the presentation of the document, on behalf of the President of Republic, the minister of State and Head of the Military Affairs Office of the President of the Republic, Francisco Pereira Furtado, emphasized the nature of the mission, which also emanates from international commitments taken up by the country.

Francisco Pereira Furtado informed that, of the financial amount to be used in the mission (11.2 billion kwanzas ), AKz 4.6 billion are already available, in an operation that will last 12 months.

According to UNITA´s MP, Jorge Matias da Cruz, the party is in favour because it considers that peace is a priceless asset and that must be defended.

The PHA´s MP , Fernando Diniz, highlighted the duty to fulfil solidarity missions, as well as the sharing of experience with the other nations of the continent to promote peace and stability.

A similar position was expressed by the PRS/FNLA Joint Parliamentary Group which, through MP Benedito Daniel, argued that the instability in the DRC is also a negative factor for Angola.

On her turn, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira, wished success to the military contingent in the peace mission in eastern DRC, recommending that they stand up with discipline and high sense of mission in the defence of fundamental rights and safety of civilian populations, particularly children, girls and women, the main victims of a conflict.

“Crimes against defenceless populations have already caused more than ten million victims, so we think it is important the role of Angola in the demilitarization and peace of the sub-region of Central Africa”, She explained.

The diploma aims to ensure the process of cantonment of the military forces of the M23 forces, in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)