During his address in Benguela last Thursday, the Minister of Energy and Water delivered a substantial update on the Cunje Hydroelectric Power Plant in Camacupa, Bié province. Despite being inactive for over three decades due to damage from armed conflict, the plant is set to commence 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 valuable contribution to the national electricity generation park.
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 facing the sector. He conducted a comprehensive analysis of the current state of companies under the ministry’s jurisdiction, underscoring “limitations and inefficiencies” that pose significant risks to sector stability. Minister Borges highlighted issues within the National Electricity Distribution Company (ENDE), such as the lack of an efficient commercial management system and a notable shortage of meters, especially among large customers.
Regarding the water sector, the Minister expressed concern about losses, particularly in the province of Luanda, where inefficiency reaches around 30%. He stressed the urgent need to modernize 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, supporting tariff increases to combat waste resulting from vandalism and illegal activities. In light of revenue challenges faced by companies in the electricity and water sectors, the Minister encouraged managers to explore innovative solutions to address these persistent problems.
