During his speech in Benguela last Thursday, the Minister of Energy and Water delivered a significant update regarding the Cunje Hydroelectric Power Plant in Camacupa, Bié province. He announced that the plant, inactive for over three decades due to damage from armed conflict, is set to begin operations later this year. Minister João Baptista Borges emphasized its capacity of about one megawatt and expressed satisfaction with its modest size, recognizing its valuable contribution to the national electricity generation park.
At the ministry’s 12th Consultative Council inauguration, themed “Energy and Water Towards Expansion and Enhanced Service Quality,” the Minister addressed sector challenges. He conducted a thorough evaluation of companies under the ministry’s purview, emphasizing “limitations and inefficiencies” posing significant risks to sector stability. Minister Borges highlighted issues within the National Electricity Distribution Company (ENDE), including the lack of an effective commercial management system and a noticeable shortage of meters, especially among major clients.
Concerning the water sector, Minister Borges expressed worries about losses, particularly in Luanda province, where inefficiency reaches around 30%. He stressed the urgent need to modernize the management system, including the customer database. The Minister also urged Empresa Pública de Águas de Luanda (EPAL) to implement a robust, fraud-proof, and easily auditable metering system, endorsing tariff increases to combat waste from vandalism and mining. Given the revenue challenges faced by companies in the electricity and water sectors, the Minister encouraged managers to explore innovative solutions to address these persistent issues. João Baptista Borges João Baptista Borges João Baptista Borges
