Dundo – The entry into operation of the Luachimo hydroelectric plant, an event that marked the economic year 2024, quadrupled the production of clean energy in the city of Dundo, capital of the province of Lunda-Norte, opening new perspectives for the industry, especially extractive.
By Hélder Dias, ANGOP Journalist
The largest energy project in the eastern region, built in the 1950s, was paralyzed for almost nine years, since 2016, due to rehabilitation and expansion works, which allowed energy production to increase from 8.4 to 34 megawatts (MW), surpassing the energy demand of the city of Dundo, which is 16 (MW), 50% of the hydroelectric capacity.
Valued at more than 212 million US dollars, financed via a credit line from China, the project included, among other actions, the rehabilitation of mechanical equipment and the execution of a new hydraulic circuit sized for 240 cubic meters of water per second.
The new hydraulic circuit consists of a water intake, intake channel, loading chamber and return channel.
In addition to household connections, the project foresees around 30 industrial connections, as well as the recovery of the 85 kilometer high voltage transmission line to the mining town of Nzagi, municipality of Cambulo, with an additional value valued at more than 40 million dollars.
Still in the energy sector, highlight is also the start of production of the photovoltaic plant in the municipality of Lucapa, with capacity to produce 7.19 megawatts, which is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025.
The plant installed on an area of 13.52 hectares, with 12 thousand and 90 solar panels, is valued at 19,706,428 euros, 80% of which are financed by Sweden and 20% by South Africa.
It will ensure the supply of electricity, through the solar system, to more than 24 thousand families in the district, which is more than 100 kilometers from the city of Dundo.
The year in the province of Lunda-Norte was also marked with the appointment of the new governor, Filomena Miza, replacing Deolinda Satula Vilarinho in the position.
Filomena Miza, the second woman to take charge of Lunda-Norte, inherited a province with enormous challenges, with emphasis on the completion of 187 projects under the Public Investment Program (PIP), linked to the education, health, sports and roads, paralyzed for more than five years.
Still in the political chapter, Lunda-Norte hosted the central event of the 17th of September, National Hero's Day, guided by the Minister of Culture, Filipe Zau, who stated on the occasion that “men of Agostinho Neto's temper, whether at the level of Africa, or even planetary, there were few”.
In terms of the administration of Justice, the province was reinforced with eight new judges and nine prosecutors, bringing the number of available magistrates to 28 (16 prosecutors and 12 judges).
The conviction of the 15 members of the self-proclaimed “Movimento Protectorado Lunda-cokwe”, by the Cuango District Court, for acts preparatory to the crime of armed rebellion, in the process known as the “Malachito case”, in reference to the founder of the organization, Jota Filipe Malaquito , reportedly residing in Portugal, also made headlines in the news in Lunda-Norte.
Culturally, the year stood out for the elevation of Tchianda dance and music, as well as the musical instrument quissanje, to National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture.
In sport, the highlight is the removal of Roque Sapiri, in technical command of Sagrada Esperança, due to alleged bad results in the national football championship “Girabola’2024/25” and in the Champions Clubs League.
Lunda-Norte, with almost one million inhabitants, results from the division of the former province of Lunda, on July 4, 1978.
It is located in the northeast of the country and is made up of the municipalities of Chitato (political and economic capital), Cambulo, Caungula, Cuilo, Cuango, Capenda Camulemba, Lucapa, Lubalo, Lóvua and Xá-Muteba.HD/IZ/DOJ
