On Friday, 02 February 2024, the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, showcased the advancements in the construction of the Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric dam located in the Cambambe municipality (Kwanza Norte). He was addressing the progress following a meeting with the Technical Committee responsible for overseeing the project. Significant headway has been made in digging the two water return tunnels and the access tunnel to the generator room. These tunnels, extending five kilometers in length and 16 meters across, will house the turbines. Borges reported that construction completion stands at approximately 22% for one tunnel and 11% for the other.
Borges emphasized the complexities of tunnel drilling, indicating that this phase’s challenges would cause delays in other aspects of the hydroelectric complex due to the need for adjustments to meet the agreed deadlines. He noted technical and geological difficulties unforeseen in the project’s planning stages as major factors contributing to these delays. Financial issues, including delayed payments to inspectors or project designers crucial for project approval and adherence to timelines, were also highlighted as setbacks. Borges assured efforts to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to resolve these financial hiccups and advocated for continuous meetings among all stakeholders to mitigate further delays.
Despite these obstacles, the project director, Augusto Chico, reported that the project is approximately 14.07% complete in physical terms and 15% financially. He mentioned the substantial completion of infrastructure, which is expected to expedite the dam’s construction. The initiation of energy production at the Caculo Cabaça dam is anticipated in October 2026 with the activation of the first turbine.
The project, initiated in 2017 with an investment surpassing five billion dollars, employs around 2,500 workers, comprising both local and international staff. It receives joint financial support from the People’s Republic of China, contributing 4.5 billion dollars towards the civil construction of the hydroelectric facility and associated transport systems, and Germany, which is financing the supply and installation of electromechanical equipment with an investment of 1.02 billion dollars.
The Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric project is expected to generate 2,172 megawatts (MW) of power, joining the network of dams along the middle Kwanza River, including those at Cambambe (Cuanza Norte), Capanda, and Laúca (Malanje). The China Gezhouba Group, a state-owned enterprise, is responsible for the dam’s construction. In addition to the meeting, João Baptista Borges also inspected ongoing works at the hydroelectric site, including the main power station, tunnels, the dam itself, construction yards, bridges, and other structures.