The award was received by director Osvaldo Inácio, representing Sonangol.
The company "being today one of the main oil & gas companies, on a continental level, aims to transform itself, proportionally, into a reference in terms of energy, with the distinction being a recognition of the steps taken and an incentive to fulfill this objective", he indicated.
At the event, some Sonangol representatives, in a panel moderated by the director of Something of Value, Geoff Hill, took stock of the oil company's progress in terms of the energy transition.
The panel, which was attended by Osvaldo A. Inácio, Executive Director of Sonangol, Ricardo Van-Deste, CEO of the Exploration and Production Business Unit of Sonangol and Paulo Guedes, Director of Renewable Energies at Sonangol, focused on the role of oil and gas in the energy transition.
According to a statement sent to VerAngola, the speakers "emphasized that decarbonization strategies will be more effective than phasing out resources to reduce emissions and protect the environment."
The statement notes that while "energy poverty in Africa remains a significant threat and a problem that needs to be addressed, an adapted decarbonisation approach will be significant both for the country and for the entire continent."
Inacio, quoted in the statement, said that "it has been said that around 600 million Africans do not have electricity and therefore embarking on an energy transition centered on renewable energies and other more expensive energy sources could be a dangerous game."
For that reason, the idea is to start "a conversation about decarbonization and the role we will play in it. That would also, of course, help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
"In general, what we Sonangol have to say when we talk about energy transition is this: we're not against it, we think it's necessary, but we feel it should be balanced and that, as a continent, we have to play a role in it. definition of what the energy transition means for us", he considered, exemplifying that "in Gabon, the energy transition may not mean the same thing as in Germany".
"What is our definition of energy transition and at what rate do we want to make it? What we mean is this: we are all involved in the transition and we are taking very serious and bold steps to make it happen, but we can also do it this at the same time as we monetize the vast resource with which we have been blessed, in a safe and clean way. This is what the energy transition represents for Sonangol," he said.
The statement said that although the country was committed to oil and gas, using "decarbonisation technologies to drive the transition", it also broadened its goals in terms of renewable energy, adopting new "initiatives that drive progress".
Speakers also spoke about the country's hybridization project, which aims to expand the use of renewable energy in Angola.
"The question is where does the money come from? How do you get financing for oil and gas projects with the energy transition? Sonangol faces the same challenges as every other company," said Van-Deste.
Guedes already indicated that they have the hybridization project that they are selling to the Government. "Today it is considered an off-grid project, but in the future it will be connected to the grid. We are also looking at our internal operations from upstream to downstream, as well as ways to minimize the use of fossil fuels", he said, adding that they are "a study a large number of alternative facility models in order to lower operating costs and help the environment."
"We have seen filling stations powered by solar energy, a place for the sale and exchange of batteries and charging equipment. We have some industrial parks that are not connected to the grid and which provide an opportunity to sell renewable energy. We are still considering carrying out studies to improve and maximize the biofuels industry and promote the use of green hydrogen in Angola", he concluded.
The African Energy Week is an event about the energy transition in Africa, which allows the main companies of that continent to debate strategies to implement the energy transition.
