At an event in Benguela last Thursday, the Minister of Energy and Water shared significant details about the Cunje Hydroelectric Power Plant in Camacupa, Bié province. Despite remaining inactive for over three decades due to damage from the armed conflict, there are now plans to resume its operations later this year. Minister João Baptista Borges emphasized its installed capacity of approximately one megawatt and expressed satisfaction with its modest size, acknowledging its notable role in enhancing the national electricity generation infrastructure.
At the beginning of the ministry’s 12th Consultative Council, centered on “Energy and Water: Towards Expansion and Improved Service Quality,” the Minister tackled the sector’s challenges. He carried out a thorough review of the current condition of companies overseen by the ministry, emphasizing “limitations and inefficiencies” that threaten sector stability. Minister Borges underscored issues within the National Electricity Distribution Company (ENDE), such as the absence of a strong commercial management system and a significant shortage of meters, especially among key clients.
Addressing the challenges within the water sector, the Minister expressed concern over losses, particularly in Luanda Province, where inefficiency is estimated at approximately 30%. He emphasized the pressing necessity to update the management system, including the customer database. Minister Borges also urged Empresa Pública de Águas de Luanda (EPAL) to implement a strong, fraud-resistant, and easily auditable metering system, supporting tariff adjustments to address wastage due to vandalism and illegal connections. Given the revenue difficulties facing companies in both the electricity and water sectors, the Minister encouraged managers to seek innovative solutions to address these persistent challenges. João Baptista Borges João Baptista Borges
