Dundo - The Luachimo dam located in the north-eastern Lunda Norte Province, with the capacity to produce 34 megawatts of electricity, is expected to be fully operational between August or early September this year, as soon as the assembly of its four turbines is completed, ANGOP has learnt.
Deolinda Vilarinho, Lunda Norte governor, who recently visited the infrastructure, said the two turbines are already producing and supplying 17 MW of electricity to Dundo city, while the others, with the same capacity, are in the testing phase.
The governor was told that the project is expected to be fully operational in August or early September this year and that the current power outage in Dundo city are due to the tests being carried out.
Deolinda Vilarinho recommended rigour in meeting the deadlines set for the completion of the project, taking into account its importance in attracting private investment, especially for the industrial sector.
The contract, budgeted at 212.3 million US dollars, will benefit about 10,600 families.
The Luachimo Hydroelectric Plant will also supply electricity to the municipalities of Cambulo and Lucapa, including the localities of Fucauma, Cassanguidi, Luxilo and Calonda.
The project
The works included the Repair of mechanical equipment, construction of a new hydraulic circuit designed for 240 cubic metres of water per second, consisting of a water intake, an adduction canal and a restitution canal.
A new 60-kilovolt substation was also built, while the road leading to the dam was repaired.
The new power plant is 35 metres high, the equivalent of an 11-storey building, installed in an area 50 metres long and 30 metres in cross-section.
The old power station building has been rehabilitated to serve technical education institutions and is expected to be the first energy sector museum in Angola.
The last stage of the project includes the extension of the distribution network to the seat of Lucapa, including Calonda town. HD/Amp/jmc
