Angola’s Minister of Energy and Water João Baptista Borges conducted a visit to the province of Cabinda to verify the progress of water and energy projects underway while assessing services delivery in the region.
During the visit on May 26, the minister explored construction works at the 145 MW Malembo Thermal Power Station as well as the project’s readiness to help the province improve energy distribution services and eliminate electricity supply deficits which has caused some power outages in the region.
The plant comprises two 35 MW and three 25 MW power generation turbines. In addition, the minister assessed the development of the Chibodo Diesel Power Station – comprising 18 generators with a total capacity of 30.6 MW. With only eight generators currently operating, the Minister highlighted the urgency of getting the remaining ten units back online.
During a visit to energy generation and water treatment plants being developed by ENDE and the National Directorate of Waters for some 2,100 households in the centrality of Talisumbi. Minister Borges called for the speedy installation of a 30 KV power line and distribution network to improve energy access for consumer households and supply to the water treatment facility.
The Minister also visited the Water and Sanitation Company of Cabinda, the Tchizo Water Treatment Station, the Santa Catarina Diesel Power Station – determining that five generators are operating and one is undergoing maintenance – and the 90 MWp/25 MWh solar-plus-storage plant in Cabinda, where he gained insight into the status of water supply and recommended improvements regarding billing and equipment maintenance.
Minister Borges was accompanied by Mara Regina Domingos Quiosa, Provincial Governor of Cabinda; Agostinho da Silva, Deputy Governor for Technical Services and Infrastructure; Manuel Quintino, Secretary of State for Water and executive directors and staff from ENDE and the Ministry of Energy and Water.