MCA Infrastructures Secures Funding for Solar Projects in Angola

MCA Infrastructures SA secures £12.5mn funding from UK Export Finance for mobile construction equipment to support the rural electrification program in Angola. The procurement includes various machinery essential for ongoing energy projects aimed at providing sustainable electricity to over one million people. The initiative also emphasizes collaboration with suppliers and financiers, furthering the country’s energy transition efforts.

MCA Infrastructures SA, a subsidiary of the Portuguese construction firm M.Couto Alves, S.A. (MCA) Group, has received crucial funding to acquire mobile construction equipment crucial for ongoing energy projects in Angola. The UK Export Finance (UKEF) has pledged support for this equipment purchase, amounting to £12.5 million (approximately US$16.2 million), facilitated through Dints International Ltd., a supply and logistics firm.

The essential equipment, which includes excavators, stackers, diggers, generators, and various vehicles such as cars, trucks, and trailers, will initially be deployed within Angola’s rural electrification program. This initiative aims to enhance energy access across the country, ultimately providing sustainable energy solutions to over one million individuals.

MCA Group functions as an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor on multiple projects, including significant electrification programs within Angola. The funding includes a guarantee from UKEF to Apple Bank, enabling MCA to access the necessary financing via Dints.

Dints, established 18 years ago, operates as a London-based project integrator that connects buyers, suppliers, logistics providers, and financial partners. Among UK suppliers involved in the project are Energy Group, Yorpower, and Kings Trailers, a transport specialist. Stephen Peal, the Group Managing Director of Yorpower, remarked, “It is an honour to be supporting the energy transition in Angola, which is a new territory for us.”

The rural electrification program is a core component of efforts to expand electrical access in Angola, supported by lenders such as Standard Chartered Bank and the Export Credit Agency, Euler Hermes. In May 2024, MCA reported that around 44,000 solar panels were operational at the Luena Solar Park, aiming to provide clean energy to over 55,000 people near Moxico province. The Luena Solar Park represents the fourth out of seven planned solar parks by the company.

Furthermore, MCA indicated that the new solar park, in conjunction with a new interconnection between the Wartsilla thermal power plant and Luena SE, would enhance renewable energy generation and system stability while lowering overall fuel consumption. In collaboration with Sun Africa, a US firm, MCA’s solar initiative is set to achieve a total capacity of 370 MW as part of these expansive efforts.

In conclusion, MCA Infrastructures SA’s procurement of mobile construction equipment, supported by UKEF, exemplifies a significant commitment to enhancing energy infrastructure in Angola. The rural electrification program aims to provide sustainable energy to millions, with ongoing projects like the Luena Solar Park demonstrating the potential impact of renewable energy solutions. Such initiatives, underpinned by collaboration with various stakeholders, represent a pivotal step toward improving energy accessibility in the region.

Original Source: africanreview.com