On the 2nd of February, 2024, Energy and Water Minister João Baptista Borges updated on the Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric dam project’s progress in the Cambambe region of Kwanza Norte, following a meeting with the project’s overseeing Technical Committee. Borges highlighted the significant advancements made in the excavation of two tunnels for water redirection and an additional tunnel granting access to the turbine chamber. Spanning five kilometers in length and 16 meters in width, these tunnels are essential for the installation of turbines, with their completion status standing at approximately 22% and 11%, respectively.
Borges elaborated on the complexities encountered in tunnel excavation, indicating potential delays in various aspects of the project due to the necessity for modifications to maintain adherence to the timeline. He pointed out that unforeseen technical and geological challenges have emerged, leading to these delays. Furthermore, financial impediments, such as the postponement of payments to vital inspectors or designers necessary for the project’s verification and adherence to schedules, were identified as significant hurdles. Borges committed to collaborating closely with the Ministry of Finance to address these financial concerns and called for ongoing cooperation among all stakeholders to minimize future delays.
Despite these challenges, project director Augusto Chico reported that the dam’s construction is around 14.07% complete in terms of physical structure and 15% in financial terms. He acknowledged the completion of significant infrastructure work, expected to accelerate the project’s construction phase. The initiation of energy production at the Caculo Cabaça dam is projected for October 2026 with the launch of the first turbine.
Commenced in 2017 with a budget exceeding five billion dollars, the project currently provides employment to roughly 2,500 people, including local and international staff. It benefits from significant financial backing from the People’s Republic of China, which has invested 4.5 billion dollars in the civil construction of the hydroelectric project and its related transport infrastructure, and Germany, which has allocated 1.02 billion dollars for the supply and installation of electromechanical equipment.
With an expected output of 2,172 megawatts (MW) of energy, the Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric project is set to become part of the series of dams along the Kwanza River’s mid-section, joining others such as Cambambe (Cuanza Norte), Capanda, and Laúca (Malanje). The China Gezhouba Group Corporation, a government-owned company, oversees the construction. Additionally, João Baptista Borges inspected the ongoing construction activities on-site, including the main power station, tunnels, the dam, construction sites, bridges, and other infrastructure elements.
