Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Luanda (Fides Service)- Angola, at the moment one of the poorest African countries but potentially very rich, stands to benefit enormously from a new hydro electrical power station under construction on the River Cuanza in central northern which will eventually provide 520 megawatts of electricity for country’s development.
This impressive project is proceeding in stages. A first turbine began producing power in January 2004, followed by a second which went into action a year later. At present the station produces 260 megawatts which feed the electricity networks of Luanda the capital and the city of Malanje.
The Capanda complex was inaugurated to mark Angola’s 30 years of independence, although the project will not be completed until 2007. When all four of its turbines are in function the Station will produce 520 megawatts which will supply northern Angola. However the entire country will benefit because resources now used for the north will be redirected to central southern Angola.
Work on the Capanda Power Station started in September 1982 when a consortium of Russian and Brazilian companies won a competitive tender organised by the Angolan government. In February 1987 the site chosen for the complex was made accessible with roads, an air strip, lodgings for building personnel, a hospital and other logistic infrastructures.
Construction had to stop in 1992 when civil war flared up and security conditions in the region were precarious. The halt lasted five years during which the building site was totally abandoned and infrastructures and machinery were completely destroyed.
Construction resumed in 1997, but was interrupted again for a year in January 1999. However this time a group of builders protected by a military unit remained to guard the project. At last in January 2000 work started again and on 22 August 2002 the stage of filling the basin began. The estimated total cost of the undertaking funded partly with funds from Russia and Brazil is 2.6 billion dollars. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2005 righe 33 parole 393)
