Discover Africa's largest off-grid solar power park, which began operating in Cazombo.

Solar energy has come to occupy a central role in electrical supply In eastern Angola, the largest off-grid photovoltaic park on the African continent has officially begun operations in Cazombo, the capital of Moxico Leste. 

The infrastructure guarantees, for the first time, a continuous supply of electricity to the region, including during the night, thanks to a battery storage system.

The project represents a milestone for the energy transition in rural areas. Furthermore, it inaugurates the first autonomous system of its kind in the country, significantly reducing dependence on diesel generators, which for decades were the only available alternative for many communities far from large urban centers.

Infrastructure invests in solar energy with large-scale storage.

Developed and implemented by the MCA Group, the photovoltaic park has over 40 installed solar panels. The unit has a power output of 25,40 MWp and a storage capacity of 75,26 MWh, ensuring a stable electricity supply throughout the day and night.

As a result, the system was designed to serve more than 136 people, promoting greater predictability in consumption and eliminating the frequent fluctuations that characterized the local supply. 

The intensive use of stored solar energy also contributes to a significant reduction in operational and environmental costs.

According to project data, the park’s operation will save approximately 10 million liters of fuel per year. At the same time, it is estimated that approximately 37 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be reduced, reinforcing the alignment of the initiative with environmental and climate goals.

During the construction phase, the project generated over 300 jobs, boosting the local economy. Thus, in addition to the energy impact, the undertaking also had a direct effect on family income and the revitalization of the region.

The commissioning of the park marks the practical start of the Rural Electrification Project, which aims to bring solar energy to 60 Angolan communities. 

This is one of the largest public investments in renewable energy in the interior of the country, focusing on universal access to electricity.

According to Manuel Couto Alves, chairman of the MCA Group, the initiative demonstrates the adaptation of technology to specific contexts and reinforces the social benefits of the project. “This project represents, for us, not only a technical challenge overcome with excellence, but also a significant transformation in the quality of life of the populations,” he stated.

 The official also highlighted the symbolism of seeing “people’s homes with electricity powered by green energy.”

Cazombo now has its first major source of electricity.

With an estimated population of around 411, Cazombo has faced serious limitations in its energy supply for decades. 

The city, now the capital of the new political-administrative region of Moxico Leste, never had a structured source of electricity production and distribution.

In this context, the photovoltaic park assumes a strategic role. Solar energy becomes the basis of the local electricity supply, expanding access to lighting, improving essential services, and creating more favorable conditions for economic and social development.

Initiated in 2023, the Rural Electrification Project is scheduled for completion in 2026. The initiative involves the MCA Group and the Angolan Government, through the Ministry of Energy and Water and the Ministry of Finance. 

The financing is led by Commerzbank AG, with a guarantee from the German export credit agency Euler Hermes (ECA).

The overall plan foresees the implementation of 46 isolated solar mini-grids. In total, the expansion should benefit more than one million people in 60 municipalities, with 256 MWp of installed photovoltaic capacity, 595 MWh of storage, and more than 202 household connections.

Sustainability and social inclusion guide the projects.

The projects developed by MCA follow principles of sustainability and social responsibility. The company operates with integrated solutions in energy, urban infrastructure, water supply, and health. Furthermore, it invests in social programs designed in partnership with local institutions.

According to the company, the central objective is to strengthen communities, increase regional resilience, and prepare the country for a future based on solar energy and other renewable sources. In this context, the Cazombo park emerges as a benchmark for new investments and for consolidating the clean energy matrix in Angola.