Mitrelli completes Angola’s Quibala substation

In a project engineered and executed by the Swiss-based Mitrelli Group, Angola has inaugurated the Quibala substation, the ninth and final substation to be delivered under the Sumbe-Gabela-Waco Kungo (SGWK) energy corridor

This milestone builds on earlier phases that added six substations and more than 600 km of overhead transmission lines (OHL) reaching up to 220 kV.

Together, this growing infrastructure forms the backbone of the SGWK corridor, improving the lives of 2.3 million people across the Cuanza Sul province, fuelling economic growth and industrialisation across the heart of the country.

The newly inaugurated Quibala 220/60 kV and 60/30 kV substation in Cuanza Sul Province will deliver reliable, renewable energy, adding 335 MW of available power to support industries, enhance public services and improve daily life across the region, a Mitrelli statement read.

It added that theconstruction of the substations has already created 900 direct jobs, with broader energy access expected to stimulate an additional 12,000 jobs across multiple sectors.

It also forms part of a broader, regional transformation with Mitrelli, in partnership with US-based energy investor HYDRO-LINK, advancing a landmark 1,150 km cross-border transmission corridor to link Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“This project will enable Angola’s renewable energy surplus, primarily from hydropower, to reach the DRC’s mineral-rich Copperbelt,” the Mitrelli statement noted.

“It represents a crucial step toward regional energy integration, improving grid stability, unlocking cross-border trade and strengthening energy security across Africa.”

Beyond residential and industrial use, the substations also support Angola’s agriculture and agri-processing sectors, critical pillars of its export diversification strategy.

Reliable electricity boosts production, reduces post-harvest losses, and expands cold storage capacity.

Rodrigo Manso, CEO, Mitrelli, also said that the transition to grid-connected, renewable power is expected to reduce dependence on diesel generators, cutting CO2 emissions by an estimated 392,000 cubic metres per year — the equivalent of generating 335 MW through fossil fuels.

“We are proud to stand alongside the Angolan government in expanding energy access as a foundation for inclusive national development,” said Manso.

“These projects drive economic growth, support businesses, and create jobs. The inauguration of the Quibala substation reflects Angola’s commitment to sustained progress. By combining global expertise with deep local knowledge, we’re helping build a more connected, self-sufficient, and prosperous future.”

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