During his speech in Benguela last Thursday, the Minister of Energy and Water provided a significant update on the Cunje Hydroelectric Power Plant in Camacupa, Bié province. He disclosed that despite being inactive for more than three decades due to damage from armed conflict, the plant is poised to begin operations later this year. Minister João Baptista Borges emphasized its capacity of about one megawatt and expressed satisfaction with its modest size, recognizing 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 addressed the challenges facing the sector. He conducted a thorough analysis of the current state of companies under the ministry’s jurisdiction, highlighting “limitations and inefficiencies” that pose significant risks to sector stability. Minister Borges brought attention to issues within the National Electricity Distribution Company (ENDE), such as the absence of an efficient commercial management system and a notable shortage of meters, particularly among large customers.
Regarding the water sector, the Minister expressed concern about losses, especially in Luanda province, where inefficiency reaches approximately 30%. He emphasized 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-resistant, and easily auditable metering system, supporting tariff increases to combat waste resulting from vandalism and illegal connections. Given the revenue challenges faced by companies in the electricity and water sectors, the Minister encouraged managers to explore innovative solutions to address these persistent issues. João Baptista Borges João Baptista Borges João Baptista Borges
