During his speech in Benguela last Thursday, the Minister of Energy and Water delivered a significant announcement concerning the Cunje Hydroelectric Power Plant located in Camacupa, Bié province. He disclosed that the plant, inactive for more than three decades due to damage from armed conflict, is slated to commence operations later this year. Minister João Baptista Borges highlighted its installed capacity of approximately one megawatt and expressed satisfaction with its modest size, recognizing its valuable contribution to the national electricity generation park.
At the inauguration of the ministry’s 12th Consultative Council, centered on the theme “Energy and Water Towards Expansion and Improved Quality of Services,” the Minister addressed the challenges confronting the sector. He provided a thorough analysis of the current status of companies under the ministry’s jurisdiction, emphasizing “limitations and inefficiencies” that pose significant risks to sector stability. Minister Borges brought attention to issues within the National Electricity Distribution Company (ENDE), including the absence of an efficient commercial management system and a notable shortage of meters, particularly among large customers.
Turning to the water sector, the Minister expressed apprehension about losses, particularly in the province of Luanda, where inefficiency reaches around 30%. He emphasized the urgent need for modernizing the management system, including the customer database. Minister Borges also urged the Empresa Pública de Águas de Luanda (EPAL) to implement a robust, fraud-proof, and easily auditable metering system, endorsing tariff increases to combat waste resulting 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 tackle these persistent problems.
