Joint Communiqué on the Outcomes of the Meeting between the Ministers of Energy of Angola and Namibia

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 initiative, a collaborative effort between the Governments of Angola and Namibia, is situated in the lower Cunene River region, near the countries’ shared border. The meeting aimed to evaluate the outcomes of a previous virtual bilateral meeting held on November 20, 2023.

The Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the progress achieved by the professionals and consultants working on the project, underscoring the strategic significance of the Baynes Binational Energy Project for Angola, Namibia, and the SADC region, particularly since Angola is not yet integrated into the SADC regional transmission network.

Following the completion of key studies and a thorough review of the findings and recommendations, the Ministers agreed on the following actions:

1. Merge the two Baynes Project Offices into a joint implementation unit, based either in Luanda or Windhoek, with a satellite office in one of these cities.
2. Establish a joint bank account in Luanda or Windhoek, to be managed by the Baynes Project implementation unit, with funding provided annually by both Governments.
3. Approve the updated 2023 Technical-Economic Feasibility Study Report.
4. Authorize the construction of a regulatory dam approximately 12 km downstream from the main dam, with a capacity of 21 MW, which will also function as a bridge along the road corridor.
5. Recommend the public model as the best approach for implementing the Baynes Binational Hydroelectric Project, with final government approval expected by September 2024.
6. Complete the legal review of the Baynes Binational Implementation Agreement, with a joint review meeting scheduled for June 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia.
7. Ensure that the Baynes Binational Implementation Agreement is signed by July 2024.

Additionally, the Ministers noted the following developments:

• The feasibility study for the Baynes interconnection lines is nearing completion, with a projected finish date of mid-2025.
• Angola’s President has approved the commencement of construction on the temporary access route from Tombwa-Garota Nova, via Moimba, in 2024.

João Baptista Borges  João Baptista Borges  João Baptista Borges