Matala - The Angolan government has invested 106.9 million Euros in the rehabilitation and equipment supply of the Matala Hydroelectric Power Station, Substation and Electricity Grid in Huíla province over the last three years.
The aim is to respond to the increased need for consumption in Huíla and Namibe provinces, which share a combined cycle, and to make up for the shortfall in production recorded over the last few years, putting the two provinces in a situation of need.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Energy and Water, this week, for the first time in 20 years, the three turbines of the Matala Hydroelectric Plant will enter into operation simultaneously, increasing their power to 51 megawatts, 21 more than the previous production capacity.
The Matala dam, reads the note, will supply more energy to the communities of Huíla and Namibe and reduce the ‘large’ sums of money the government spends daily on buying fuel for the thermal power stations at Canguinda and Arimba (Lubango), as well as Chitoto (Namibe).
Inside Matala
The Matala Hydroelectric Power Station is one of the 14 dams in the country that began to be built in 1954, at the time with an installed production capacity of 18 MW.
Located at Cunene River near the town of Matala in Huíla province, after its inauguration it was renamed the Salazar Dam, crossed by a bridge 929 meters long with two decks, one for cars and the other for trains.
The construction of the dam would in itself generate small neighborhoods for its employees, like other companies, so at the time an urbanization plan was drawn up for Matala. MS/AMP
