MCA Infrastructures Secures Funding for Angolan Energy Project Equipment
MCA Infrastructures SA has obtained funding from UK Export Finance to purchase £12.5 million worth of mobile construction equipment for its Angolan energy project. The equipment includes excavators and generators, which will support a rural electrification program aimed at providing sustainable electricity to over one million people. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration involving UK suppliers and financial institutions.
MCA Infrastructures SA, a subsidiary of the Portuguese contractor M.Couto Alves, S.A. (MCA) Group, has received funding to procure mobile construction equipment essential for the advancement of one of its primary energy projects in Angola. The financial support stems from UK Export Finance (UKEF), which is facilitating the acquisition of equipment valued at £12.5 million (approximately US$16.2 million) through Dints International Ltd., a supply and logistics firm.
The array of equipment includes excavators, stackers, diggers, generators, as well as vehicles such as cars, trucks, vans, and trailers. MCA Group operates as an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor on various initiatives, including a prominent rural electrification program in Angola. The equipment procured will primarily serve this project before being allocated to other regional activities.
A loan guarantee provided by UKEF to Apple Bank enables the contractor working in Angola to finance the new equipment through Dints. Established 18 years ago, Dints specializes as a London-based project integrator, connecting buyers, suppliers, logistics providers, and financing partners in construction-related projects.
Several UK-based suppliers involved in this endeavor include Energy Group, Yorpower, and Kings Trailers, a transportation specialist. Stephen Peal, Group Managing Director of Yorpower, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It is an honour to be supporting the energy transition in Angola, which is a new territory for us.”
The rural electrification initiative is a crucial part of Angola’s strategy to enhance energy accessibility, aiming to deliver sustainable electricity to over one million people. This financing effort is further backed by Standard Chartered Bank and the Export Credit Agency, Euler Hermes.
In May 2024, MCA reported the successful activation of 44,000 solar panels at the Luena Solar Park, which will provide clean energy to more than 55,000 individuals. This installation, located in the Moxico province, represents the fourth solar park out of seven projects that the company is developing in Angola.
MCA indicated that the solar park, in collaboration with a new interconnector linking a Wartsilla thermal power plant and Luena SE, would enhance renewable energy production, stabilize the electrical system, and decrease overall fuel usage. The solar rollout project, conducted in partnership with the American company Sun Africa for the Angolan government, is projected to achieve a total capacity of 370 MW.
MCA Infrastructures SA’s acquisition of new construction equipment, supported by UKEF, is set to enhance its flagship energy project in Angola. The investment underscores a commitment to rural electrification and renewable energy development in the region. By collaborating with various UK suppliers, MCA aims to provide sustainable energy access to millions while reinforcing its operational capability through modern infrastructure.
Original Source: africanreview.com
