On the 2nd of February, 2024, João Baptista Borges, the Minister of Energy and Water, provided an update on the progress of the Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric dam project in Cambambe, Kwanza Norte, after convening with the Technical Committee overseeing its development. He highlighted substantial progress in the excavation of two tunnels for water return and another for accessing the turbine hall. These tunnels, which are five kilometers long and 16 meters wide, are integral for turbine installation. Borges noted that the construction progress for these tunnels is approximately 22% and 11% respectively.
Borges pointed out the drilling challenges and the complexity of tunnel construction, predicting delays in other segments of the hydroelectric project due to necessary modifications to adhere to the project timeline. Unexpected technical and geological issues have arisen, contributing to these delays. Additionally, financial complications, such as postponed payments to essential inspectors or designers for project validation and timeline compliance, were identified as further obstacles. Borges committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Finance to address these financial issues and recommended ongoing engagement among project stakeholders to prevent additional setbacks.
Despite these challenges, the project’s director, Augusto Chico, indicated that the dam’s construction is roughly 14.07% complete in terms of physical structure and 15% in financial terms. He acknowledged the significant infrastructure work completed, which is expected to accelerate the dam’s construction process. The commencement of energy production at the Caculo Cabaça dam is scheduled for October 2026, beginning with the first turbine.
Launched in 2017 with a budget exceeding five billion dollars, the project now employs about 2,500 people, including both local and international workers. It benefits from combined financial backing from the People’s Republic of China, which has allocated 4.5 billion dollars for the civil construction of the hydroelectric project and its related transport infrastructure, and Germany, which is investing 1.02 billion dollars for the supply and installation of electromechanical equipment.
Projected to produce 2,172 megawatts (MW) of energy, the Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric project will become a part of the series of dams along the central Kwanza River, joining others like Cambambe (Cuanza Norte), Capanda, and Laúca (Malanje). The construction is managed by the China Gezhouba Group Corporation, a government-owned company. Besides attending the meeting, João Baptista Borges also conducted an inspection of the ongoing construction activities at the site, including the main power station, tunnels, the dam, construction sites, bridges, and other facilities.
