At a meeting held in Benguela last Thursday, the Minister of Energy and Water shared significant updates regarding the Cunje Hydroelectric Power Plant in Camacupa, Bié province. Despite lying dormant for over thirty years due to damage from the armed conflict, there are now efforts underway to revive its operations later this year. Minister João Baptista Borges emphasized its installed capacity of approximately one megawatt and expressed satisfaction with its moderate size, acknowledging its substantial role in enhancing the national electricity generation infrastructure.
At the outset of the ministry’s 12th Consultative Council, focused on “Energy and Water: Advancing Towards Improved Service Quality and Expansion,” the Minister discussed the sector’s challenges. He performed a thorough assessment of the current situation of companies overseen by the ministry, emphasizing “limitations and inefficiencies” posing risks to sector stability. Minister Borges highlighted 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 vital clients.
Addressing the water sector challenges, the Minister expressed worry over losses, especially in Luanda Province, where inefficiency is roughly estimated at 30%. He emphasized the immediate necessity to update the management system, including the customer database. Minister Borges also urged Empresa Pública de Águas de Luanda (EPAL) to adopt a strong, fraud-resistant, and easily auditable metering system, supporting tariff adjustments to address wastage caused by 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 ongoing issues. João Baptista Borges João Baptista Borges
