During his address in Benguela last Thursday, the Minister of Energy and Water delivered a significant update regarding the Cunje Hydroelectric Power Plant in Camacupa, Bié province. Despite being inactive for over three decades due to damage from armed conflict, the Minister revealed plans for the plant to commence operations later this year. Minister João Baptista Borges highlighted its capacity of approximately one megawatt and expressed satisfaction with its modest size, acknowledging its valuable contribution to the national electricity generation park.

During 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 analysis of the current state of companies under the ministry’s jurisdiction, emphasizing the “limitations and inefficiencies” posing significant risks to sector stability. Minister Borges drew attention to issues within the National Electricity Distribution Company (ENDE), such as the lack 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, particularly in Luanda province, 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-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 seek innovative solutions to address these persistent issues. João Baptista Borges  João Baptista Borges  João Baptista Borges