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Angola takes lead in
hydropower plant capacity
Laúca Hydropower Plant in Angola will soon become the largest such facility
in the southern African region, with an installed capacity of 2 070MW.
The third power generation group was commissioned in April,
bringing the current installed power to over 1 000MW. With these
three generation groups in full operation, out of a total of six,
Laúca has already consolidated itself as the largest hydropower
plant in Angola, surpassing the installed capacity of Capanda
(520MW) and Cambambe (960MW) hydropower plants.
When the sixth generator set — being currently assembled —
comes into operation, Laúca will reach an installed capacity of
2 070MW, becoming one of the largest hydropower plants in
southern Africa, alongside the Cahora Bassa in Mozambique.
It will contribute significantly to the stability of the national electricity
system and employment creation. Some 95% of the Laúca
Hydropower Plant workforce is Angolan. The project has already
created more than 13 000 direct jobs.
In parallel, the plant project has developed social programmes with
the surrounding communities, focusing on education and job training.
Small enterprises were established in the communities, organised
in agricultural production units of flour, bread, and soap. More than
300 families benefit from income-generating programmes.
GOVERNMENT PROJECT
Construction of the Laúca Hydropower Plant is a project of the
government, under the responsibility of the Ministry of Energy and
supervised by the Office of the Use of Medium Kwanza.
Odebrecht, the company responsible for the engineering,
procurement, and construction services, including the supply,
assembly, and commissioning of all electromechanical equipment,
carries out the project.
To export energy to the main consumer centres, the scope of the
project also includes the execution of 750km of energy transmission
lines and the construction and expansion of nine switch-yards.
Source: Construction Review Online
Tanzania to forge ahead with
Stiegler’s Gorge energy project
The Tanzanian government is going to push ahead with its plan
to build the 2 100MW Stiegler’s Gorge energy project.
Minerals Deputy Minister Subira Mgalu recapped the
government’s stance in parliament during the televised
Q & A session when responding to a question by Kawe
legislator, Halima Mdee (Chadema).
In her question, Mdee sought to know how power
generation using natural gas has contributed to meeting
energy needs of the country, and whether there were
specific dates for the kick-off of the Stiegler’s Gorge power
project. She asked the government to come with clear
answers on the failure to transport the remaining 95% of
natural gas using the pipeline that cost the nation millions of
dollars for construction. Responding, Mgalu said the country
cannot sustain its electricity demands depending on one
source, noting that water, natural gas, and other sources
should collectively be used to meet the country’s needs.
“Since the government intends to produce 5 000MW of
electricity to sustain its industrialisation agenda, Stiegler’s
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Gorge power project has come at the right time. Hydroelectric power
generation is cheap as compared to natural gas power generation,”
she said. She continued saying that the government intended to
produce power at a low cost to make it affordable to all, as well as
support industrialisation.
According to Mgalu, though over 50% of electricity in the country is
from natural gas, other sources of electricity production should be
effectively used to meet the country’s needs. According to her, the
government was implementing natural gas power generation projects
in Mtwara and Somanga Fungu, expected to generate 300MW and
330MW of electricity, respectively.
Currently, 175 million cubic litres of natural gas are transported through
the pipeline as compared to 145 million cubic litres transported during
the 2016/17 fiscal year. This suggests that natural gas demands have
drastically increased in the country, she concluded.
Source: Construction Review Online
August 2018 Volume 24 I Number 6