AMEA Power, one of the UAE’s leading renewable energy companies in the Middle East and Africa, has partnered with global water and energy solutions provider Cox to sign a Cooperation Agreement with Angola’s Ministry of Energy and Water (MINEA).
The agreement outlines the development of a large-scale seawater desalination plant on the Mussulo Peninsula. With a planned capacity of 100,000 cubic meters per day, the facility is expected to supply clean water to around 800,000 people.
AMEA Power commenced initial development activities for the project in 2022, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The initiative has since progressed significantly, supported by the growing commercial ties between the UAE and Angola and the backing of both nations’ leadership.
The Cooperation Agreement was signed in the presence of His Excellency Salem Ali Khamis Obaid Al Shamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Angola, by João Baptista Borges, Angola’s Minister of Energy and Water; Ignacio Carreras, Head of PtX at AMEA Power and Emiliano Agustín Espinoza Labbé, Chief of Africa, Middle East & Asia at Cox.
The project will be implemented through Water Alliance Ventures, a strategic joint venture between Cox and AMEA Power. This partnership leverages Cox’s advanced technology and innovation alongside AMEA Power’s regional expertise and institutional backing.
The collaboration not only accelerates Cox’s expansion across the Middle East and Africa but also reduces operational risks in these high-demand water and energy markets. Together, the partners are spearheading desalination and water treatment projects in the region with a combined capacity exceeding 2 million cubic meters per day.
The total project cost is more than $200 million. The new desalination plant will have a total capacity of 100,000 m³/day and will be constructed in two phases of 50,000 m³/day each. Each phase will generate 300 jobs during construction and around 25 permanent positions during operation.
Once operational, the infrastructure will ensure a reliable supply of potable water to approximately 800,000 residents of the Mussulo Peninsula and the neighboring Futungo district, significantly improving access to water in Luanda, Angola. In addition, the plant will complement public initiatives such as the Bita and Quilonga projects, which are key to addressing the capital’s water infrastructure challenges.
Hussain Al Nowais Chairman – AMEA Power
“Our partnership with MINEA represents a transformative step toward securing sustainable and climate-resilient water for Angola. Today marks an important milestone made possible by the strong support of the UAE government. This landmark project showcases the power of public-private collaboration to close critical infrastructure gaps, strengthen communities, and enhance the lives of hundreds of thousands of people for generations to come.”
Enrique Riquelme, Executive Chairman of Cox, pointed out that, “With this contract, we take a fundamental step in our international growth strategy. Angola faces significant challenges and opportunities in the water sector, and together with AMEA Power and the Angolan government, we aim to provide sustainable solutions that ensure access to potable water for citizens.”
The project has been led by AMEA Power since 2022, when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with MINEA to begin a conceptual study. Subsequently, in November 2023, a Development Agreement was signed, providing the framework for AMEA Power to carry out a detailed Feasibility Study, completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The project also benefits from the support of the United Arab Emirates Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), reflecting the UAE’s historic commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Angola and supporting critical infrastructure that promotes sustainable development.
Construction of the first phase is expected to begin following the completion of technical and environmental studies, with commissioning scheduled for the second quarter of 2028.
