Dondo - The Middle Kwanza corridor currently produces 3,547 megawatts (MW) of energy, equivalent to half of its 7,000 capacity, the head of the Cambambe Hydroelectric Plant control department, João Guimarães said Tuesday.
According to Guimarães, the Caculo Cabaça dam is currently under construction to increase the system by a further 2,100 MW.
He said the energy is produced by three of the eight dams planned as part of a program to harness the hydro-energy potential of the middle course of the Kwanza river, which includes the provinces of Malanje, Cuanza-Norte and Cuanza-Sul.
The dams currently producing energy are Capanda, with a capacity of 520 MW, and Laúca (2,067 MW), both in Malanje province, as well as Cambambe (960 MW), in Cuanza-Norte.
In addition to Cuanza-Norte, the Cambambe Hydroelectric Plant supplies nine provinces, representing an asset of the national electricity system that interconnects the north, south and centre of the country.
The project includes the construction of the Zenzo-1 (450 MW), Zenzo-2 (120 MW), Túmulo do Caçador (450 MW) and Luíme dams, with a capacity of 330 megawatts.
According to João Guimarães, alongside production, the biggest challenge remains the distribution of energy, as this is an operation that requires huge investments.
The Cuanza Norte provincial government is currently seeking to expand electricity supply to communes and villages. DS/IMA/VC/AMP
