Page 20 - Energize February 2021

NEWS

Partnering on Africa’s largest solar project

itachi ABB Power Grids has joined forces with Sun Africa and M Couto Alves, part of the resilience of all our partners to overcome
EPC conglomerate, on behalf of Angola’s Ministry of Energy and Water, to supply the the unique challenges together.”
Hmain electrical infrastructure to connect sub­Saharan Africa’s largest solar project to the “We appreciate our trusted partners,
country’s transmission network. such as ING Bank, SEK, EKN, DBSA and
Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ scope of work will include the design, main power equipment KSURE, and the support we have received
supplies, testing and commissioning of the project. It is based on an in­depth grid impact study from the Swedish and US governments, in
into the customer’s unique requirements to determine in advance the best way to achieve the helping bring this project to fruition. We
integration of the Angolan government’s renewable energy programme. The initial stage of the also thank the Government of Angola for its
project will include the construction of a 188 MW solar power plant and six other solar power continued support throughout the
plants to electrify homes in the southern African country. development process,” concludes Krneta.
“This is one of the largest and most significant photovoltaic projects delivered,” says Niklas President and CEO of the MCA Group,
Persson, the managing director of Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ Grid Integration business unit. “We Manuel Couto Alves, says: “The project will
are contributing pioneering technology to enable MCA to integrate more renewables and have a huge positive impact on Angola and
electrify rural areas, while maintaining a stable network. Our role is to develop the project from specifically its economy, as more people are
idea to energisation – ultimately shaping a reliable and sustainable energy future for Angola.” guaranteed access to affordable and clean
“We are pleased to partner with Hitachi ABB Power Grids as we share its commitment to energy. He added that the project will
provide low­cost clean energy throughout the African continent,” comments Nikola Krneta, CEO significantly increase the country’s share of
of Sun Africa. “This is an incredible accomplishment given the ongoing financing and other renewable energy.”
challenges due to the Covid­19 pandemic. It demonstrates the dedication, capabilities and the Angola is Africa’s seventh largest nation,
with approximately 30­million inhabitants
and a rapidly growing economy. The
initiative is being financed under the
Swedish Export Credit System (the Swedish
Export Credit Corporation and Swedish
Export Credit Agency), which aims to raise
investment in Swedish sustainable
technology globally.
The project supports the UN's
Sustainable Development Goal 7 – ensuring
that all people have access to affordable,
reliable, sustainable and modern energy for
all. The initiative will also help to increase
the share of renewable energy in the global
energy mix. n

Contact Thembisile Dzonzi, Hitachi
ABB Power Grids, Tel 010 202-5841,
thembisile.dzonzi@hitachi-
powergrids.com

Future energy coalition unveils concrete actions for 2021

he Coalition for the Energy of the Future, of which technology since collaboration is central to achieving real progress, we look
group Wärtsilä was a founding member, has identified seven forward to working closely with the other members for a cleaner
Tdevelopment projects for 2021. At the same time, the coalition and better future,” says Roger Holm, the president of Wärtsilä
welcomes three new corporate members, thereby expanding the Marine Power.
original membership of 11 businesses to 14. Launched in 2019 during the French Maritime Economy
The projects to be worked on in cross­industry working groups Conference, the programme has received the backing of French
during 2021 are: Green Hydrogen; New Biofuel for Maritime needs; President Emmanuel Macron. The target is to achieve genuine
Carbon­neutral LNG; Green Electricity; Zero Emissions; Digital technological breakthroughs with tangible results by 2030.
Solutions; and Intermodal Green Hubs. The overall aim of the The three new members of the coalition are Airbus, Bureau
coalition is to define a clear pathway towards carbon neutrality. Veritas, and PSA International. In addition to Wärtsilä, the original
“These projects are all areas that Wärtsilä is heavily involved in, members are Amazon Web Services, Carrefour, CMA CGM Group,
and which align closely with the company’s Smart Marine and Smart Cluster Maritime Français, Crédit Agricole Corporate Investment
Energy strategies. We fully support the aims of this initiative, and Banking, Engie, Faurecia, Michelin, Schneider Electric and Total. n

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