UAE - Mubahser: Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company )Masdar) signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the 150-megawatt (MW) Quipungo solar PV project in Angola, according to a press release.

The Quipungo project represents Masdar’s first contracted site under Project Royal Sable, a planned 500MW renewable energy program across three sites that will strengthen Angola’s southern power grid and support the country’s sustainable development objectives.

Located in Huila Province in southern Angola, the agreement secures long-term electricity offtake from the 150MW Quipungo Solar PV site.

By establishing the first commercial anchor project under Project Royal Sable, the deal provides a foundation for the phased development of the wider 500MW portfolio.

It is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs, deliver clean electricity to around 300,000 homes, and enhance power generation capacity in Angola’s southern grid.  

Francesco LaCamera, Director-General of the IRENA, commented: “The Quipungo Solar PV project will contribute to strengthening Angola’s power system and expanding access to clean, reliable electricity, improving thousands of lives and inspiring greater investor confidence in Africa’s energy transition.”

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO at Masdar, stated: “Africa is the world's fastest-growing continent and that growth will depend on affordable, secure energy. As a pioneer of renewables in Africa, Masdar is committed to developing clean energy across the region. Signing our first Power Purchase Agreement in Angola represents an important milestone on this journey.”

The addition of Project Royal Sable will contribute to Masdar’s target of 100 GW portfolio capacity by 2030.

In December, Masdar started the commercial operations at its battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in Stockport. It will develop two new BESS projects in Cardiff and Chesterfield.