São Tomé and Príncipe, June 04, 2025.
São Tomé and Príncipe takes another concrete step towards the energy transition with the inauguration of the 1.2 megawatt photovoltaic solar park, integrated in the Santo Amaro power plant, which was attended by several individuals, namely the HE Prime-Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, Dr. Américo Ramos, HE Minister of Infrastructure and Natural Resources, Eng. Nelson Cardoso, HE Minister of the Environment, Dr. Nilda Borges, Mayor of the District of Lobata, Mr. Euclides Buio, Representatives of the AfDB Mrs. Samson Oyetunde and Pietro Toigo, National United Nations Coordinator, Mr Eric Overvest and representatives of the different institutions in the energy sector. It should be noted that this plant is part of a joint financing project between AfDB, UNDP and UNIDO, which together materialized the turnkey construction of a 1.7 MWp photovoltaic power plant, in two phases, the first of which was 0.5MWp financed by the UNDP was built and put into service at the end of 2022 and now the completion of this second phase of 1.2 MWp with the financing of the AfDB and the placement in service on June 4 of the current year.
It is important to reinforce that UNIDO, in addition to strengthening the capacity of the institutions of the energy sector in São Tomé and Príncipe, within the Project Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency with resources from the GEF (Global Environment Facility) financed the rehabilitation of the PC5 Switching Station, the infrastructure that allows to safely unite and inject into the national grid the production of solar power plants with the production of the current generator sets. This project represents the gradual shift from fossil and polluting sources to renewable and sustainable sources of energy. In this context, photovoltaic solar energy emerges as one of the main viable alternatives, due to the abundance of the solar resource, its scalability and fast technological advancement.
It should be recalled that the high cost of thermal energy production has resulted in significant expenses with the import of fuel, compromising the execution of several activities foreseen in the government's program for São Tomé and Príncipe. According to the Prime-Minister, the impact of the new photovoltaic solar infrastructure on reducing energy costs borne by the State is notorious, "From the 24th to today, the current production has resulted in a reduction of 15 thousand liters of fuel", announced with satisfaction, Américo Ramos, who thanked the engagement of the different partners in the process of decarbonization of the energy sector of São Tomé and Príncipe.
For further information, please, contact:
Martin Lugmayr, Industrial Development Expert and GNSEC Coordinator: M.GAILLON@unido.org
Andrea Eras Almeida, Renewable Energy Project Expert: A.ERASALMEIDA@unido.org
Gabriel Maquengo, National Project Coordinator: G.LIMAMAQUENGO@unido.org
Belizardo Neto, National Young Energy Professional: B.DACONCEICAOAFONSONETO@unido.org
