On June 4th, a Bilateral Meeting was held at the Laúca Hydroelectric Dam in Malanje Province to discuss the Baynes Binational Hydroelectric Project, which has a capacity of 881 MW. This project, located in the lower Cunene River region near the Angola-Namibia border, is a joint effort between the Governments of Angola and Namibia. The meeting aimed to review the outcomes of the bilateral virtual meeting held on November 20, 2023.
The Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the progress achieved by the professionals and consultants working on the binational project, highlighting the strategic importance of the Baynes Binational Energy Project for both Angola and Namibia, as well as for the SADC region, especially since Angola is not yet part of the SADC regional transmission network.
In light of the completed major studies and a thorough evaluation of the findings and recommendations, the Ministers agreed on the following actions:
- Merge the two Baynes Project Offices into a joint implementation unit, with headquarters in either Luanda or Windhoek, and a satellite office in one of these locations.
- Establish a joint bank account in Luanda or Windhoek, to be managed by the Baynes Project implementation unit, funded annually by both Governments.
- Approve the updated 2023 Technical-Economic Feasibility Study Report.
- Greenlight the construction of a regulation dam approximately 12 km downstream from the main dam, with a capacity of 21 MW, which will also function as a bridge on the road corridor.
- Endorse the public model as the preferred approach for implementing the Baynes Binational Hydroelectric Project, recommending it to the Governments for final approval by September 2024.
- Complete the legal review of the Baynes Binational Implementation Agreement, with a joint review meeting set for June 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia.
- Ensure the Baynes Binational Implementation Agreement is signed by July 2024.
The Ministers also highlighted the following progress:
- The feasibility study for the Baynes interconnection lines is well advanced, with completion expected by mid-2025.
- The President of Angola has approved the start of construction on the temporary access route from Tombwa-Garota Nova via Moimba, beginning in 2024.
João Baptista Borges João Baptista Borges João Baptista Borges
