[2019-02-11] Construction of hydroelectric facility in Laúca, Angola, completed this year

Source: Macauhub

The last two turbines of the Laúca hydroelectric project, with a capacity of 333 megawatts of power each, are due to go into operation by the end of the year, engineer Yamba Ambrósio of Odebrecht Angola, a subsidiary of the Brazilian group Odebrecht, announced on Saturday.

Ambrósio, who made the remarks at the end of a visit by members of Malanje civil society, said the work was about 90% complete and that the two turbines that are yet to fire up should start operating between June and December.

He also said that the goal of the project for this year is to complete the work, with the commissioning of turbines five and six, in order to proceed to final delivery to the Angolan government, according to Angolan state news agency Angop.

The Laúca Hydroelectric Plant is a public work under the responsibility of the Office of Utilisation of the Middle Kwanza and is located at kilometre 307.5 of the Kwanza River, about 47 kilometres downstream of the Capanda Hydroelectric Plant.

The Laúca plant, which is considered to be the largest civil engineering project ever in the country and the second largest dam in Africa, will serve 8 million people, reaching the central provinces of Huambo and Bié this year.

The dam projected to produce 1,998 megawatts of energy with six turbines of 333 megawatts each in two plants, with the first turbine coming into operation in August 2017.

The work was financed by a Brazilian credit facility and in its various phases the project hired about 13,000 workers. Work began in 2012 with Brazilian group Odebrecht as contractor.