Energy transition “should not be an imposition”, says Minister of Petroleum

Diamantino de Azevedo, who was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Angola Oil & Gas conference taking place in Talatona, considered that "the energy transition is important for all of humanity, for the entire planet, but there cannot be an imposition by certain countries or interest groups over others".

"It is necessary to take into account that economic, social and energy development are not at the same level across the country," said the head of the Petroleum Ministry, indicating that countries like Angola are more dependent on fossil fuels and need more time to achieve this goal.

"We cannot impose that the steps are the same for all countries, regardless of their starting conditions, and we must take into account that it is not the least developed countries that pollute the most. That is why I called for it to be a democratic and energy transition that it does not contribute to widening the gap between those who are more and those who are less developed, so that energy poverty does not increase," explained Diamantino de Azevedo.

He also defended that the energy transition must take into account the starting conditions of each country, as only then will there be conditions for investments in the hydrocarbon industry to continue, while looking at the goals to be achieved in this aspect of carbon reduction.

The minister says that, if this is done, "there will be conditions to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions" and for other energy sources to gradually occupy part of the space currently occupied by fossil fuels.

Diamantino de Azevedo stressed that the executive is aware that it is necessary to look at environmental issues, but there must also be space for "we can continue to use the resource we have for the good of the economic and sustainable development of our country and for improvement the quality of life of the people".

He mentioned as examples some renewable energy, biofuel and hydrogen projects that are underway in Angola, stressing that the objective is also that the public hydrocarbon company (Sonangol) can transform itself into an energy company.

On the other hand, the government official highlighted the measures taken by the executive and its partners in the oil industry that helped to minimize the impacts on oil production during the pandemic period.