The Angolan government has been betting on the rehabilitation and expansion of the infrastructures of the electric sector, responding to the increase in demand for electric energy. To promote economic and social development in Angola, this government intends to initiate an innovative program in its national territory: the construction of Solar Villages.
In this sense, in 2012, the construction of the Cabiri Solar Village, in Angola, began as part of a government program, contributing to poverty reduction and economic and social development efforts in the region, which will benefit approximately 3000 people.
In partnership with the Angolan company EIH - Energia Inovação Holding, the EDP Foundation is implementing a project that provides beneficiary families access to energy at lower costs than their current expenses with fossil fuels, through solar energy solutions and community empowerment. This helps boost economic activity, increases study time, facilitates access to media and information technologies in schools and reduces indoor air pollution and resultant respiratory diseases.
This energy access project includes: solar electricity for school lighting, social facilities, and housing for 500 families; solar public lighting; solar lamps for students; solar ovens for families; and technical empowerment of the community for the sustainable use of autonomous renewable energy solutions.
During 2013, the construction phase was completed, with 505 photovoltaic systems (SHS) installed in 500 homes and social facilities (school, health center, training center, community space and other technical buildings) and 83 solar street lights.
The challenge is to develop and test a new concept of Solar Village that can easily be replicated in other areas of the Angolan territory.