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ABU DHABI, 20th January, 2023 (WAM) — Masdar has demonstrated its commitment to helping African countries undertake a clean energy transition to develop renewable energy projects with a total capacity of up to 5 gigawatts (GW).
The agreements were signed within the framework of the Etihad 7 programme, a UAE-led initiative to mobilize public and private sector funds to invest in the development of the renewable energy sector in Africa.
Launched by Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan at ADSW 2022, Etihad 7 aims to achieve 20 GW of installed capacity by 2035, providing clean electricity to 100 million people across the continent.
Sheikh Shakhboot said: “Both the UAE and African countries strongly believe in the enormous potential of clean energy to unlock progress in Africa’s economy and climate action. This is why the UAE launched Etihad 7 at ADSW last year We will accelerate access to clean energy in Africa by delivering clean energy to everyone. The agreement signed this week at ADSW 2023 is a testament to the great traction we have achieved and the milestones we have achieved together over the past year.”
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman-designate of COP28 and Chairman of Masdar, said: These landmark agreements aim to provide up to 5 GW of energy to Angola, Uganda and Zambia, following the signing in Tanzania last year. After signing an agreement for 2 GW of renewable energy projects. These further agreements will be transformative for local communities and will help African countries drive economic growth for their people while still achieving net zero emissions targets. “
The Etihad 7 umbrella agreements signed at ADSW 2023 include: another agreement with Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development for the development of greenfield renewable energy projects with a total installed capacity of 1 GW; Zambia’s Ministry of Energy and Zambia’s National Utilities Company ZESCO Limited entered into an agreement to jointly develop solar, wind and hydropower projects with a combined installed capacity of 2 GW.
Joao Baptista Borges, Minister of Energy and Water of the Republic of Angola, said: “Today, the Angolan government signed a new agreement with Masdar for up to 2GW towards clean and affordable Another step forward in China’s energy transition. The project will increase production capacity, create jobs and improve access to electricity for the people of Angola. We look forward to strengthening the development and partnership between our two countries.”
Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of the Republic of Uganda, said: “The Government of Uganda is delighted to enter into a partnership with Masdar which will add 1 GW of renewable energy to Uganda’s power generation capacity. This will go on for a long time to achieve our We look forward to developing this project within the agreed time frame.”
Victor Benjamin Mapani, Managing Director of ZESCO, said: “This historic signing between Masdar and ZESCO is a milestone in the agreement to develop solar power projects with a total capacity of 2 GW in phases over the next 10 years. ZESCO and the entire Zambia, like Zambia, sees the development of clean energy complementary to hydropower as an urgent issue of energy security. We can rest assured that we have found the right partner with Masdar and can say that we are in a position to deliver mutual benefits through this partnership Mutually beneficial value.”
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, said: “As part of Masdar’s new shareholding structure launched in December, we aim to provide 100 GW of clean energy globally by 2030. With Africa’s “Massive development and growth and despite the current low penetration of clean energy, we see huge potential in the renewable energy sector across the continent. The agreements we signed at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will support these countries’ clean energy goals.” , and help drive sustainable economic development in all four countries.”
Last August, Masdar also signed an agreement with Tanzania’s sole electricity provider, TANESCO, to develop renewable energy projects with a total capacity of up to 2 GW, also under the Etihad 7 scheme. The two parties are finalizing the establishment of a joint venture company to advance this strategic cooperation.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), less than half of the population in sub-Saharan Africa has access to electricity. Africa also gets only 20% of its electricity from renewable sources. According to a report produced last year by Masdar and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week with analytical support provided by McKinsey & Company, the theoretical potential capacity of solar and wind power on the continent is around 850 terawatts (TW).
Masdar already has a considerable presence in Africa, forming the Infinity Power Holding joint venture with Egypt’s Infinity to seek opportunities on the continent.
In November, Masdar, Infinity Power and Hassan Allam Utilities signed an agreement with the Egyptian government to develop a 10 GW onshore wind project – one of the largest in the world.
The three companies are also cooperating to develop a green hydrogen project in Egypt, aiming to have a total electrolyzer capacity of 4 GW by 2030 and an annual output of 480,000 tons of green hydrogen. Masdar also has projects in Mauritania, Morocco and Seychelles.
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