During his address in Benguela last Thursday, the Minister of Energy and Water delivered a significant update on the Cunje Hydroelectric Power Plant situated in Camacupa, Bié province. He revealed that despite being inactive for over three decades due to damage from armed conflict, the plant is on the brink of commencing operations later this year. Minister João Baptista Borges highlighted its capacity of approximately one megawatt and expressed satisfaction with its modest scale, acknowledging its valuable contribution to the national electricity generation infrastructure.
At the inauguration of the ministry’s 12th Consultative Council, themed “Energy and Water Towards Expansion and Improved Quality of Services,” the Minister tackled the challenges confronting the sector. He conducted a comprehensive assessment of the current state of companies under the ministry’s purview, underscoring “limitations and inefficiencies” that pose significant risks to sectoral stability. Minister Borges drew attention to issues within the National Electricity Distribution Company (ENDE), including the absence of an effective commercial management system and a noticeable scarcity of meters, particularly among large consumers.
Regarding the water sector, the Minister expressed apprehension about losses, particularly in Luanda province, where inefficiency reaches around 30%. He stressed the urgent necessity to modernize the management system, encompassing the customer database. Minister Borges also urged the Empresa Pública de Águas de Luanda (EPAL) to implement a robust, fraud-resistant, and easily auditable metering system, advocating for tariff adjustments to counteract wastage stemming from vandalism and unauthorized connections. Given the revenue constraints faced by companies in the electricity and water sectors, the Minister encouraged managers to explore innovative solutions to tackle these persistent challenges.
