Matala – The Matala Hydroelectric Power Plant in Huíla, to be reopened on Friday, will increase its production capacity from 27.2 to 40.8 megawatts, which will improve the supply of electricity to the local populations and of the Namibe province.
The dam, which came into operation in 1959, has benefited from rehabilitation since 2019, with the Angolan Government having invested 106 million, 940 thousand, 676, 12 euros in equipment for the Hydroelectric Power Plant, the Substation and the Vila da Matala Power Grid, located 175 kilometers from the city of Lubango, capital of Huíla province.
The increase in its production by 13.6 MW will be made possible with the entry into operation of the third turbine, and will mitigate the deficits recorded in recent years and improve the service of electricity distribution services to more than 22 thousand 600 inhabitants connected to the southern interconnected system.
The project will also make it possible to reduce the cost of operating thermal power plants, by reducing fossil fuel consumption, and ensure the continuity of electricity production for the next 20 years or more, according to a press release from the Ministry of Energy and Water.
The chairman of the Board of Directors (PCA) of the Electricity Production Company (PRODEL), Pedro Afonso, said that since its entry into operation, 65 years ago, the dam has never benefited from deep works to replace equipment, stressing that this rehabilitation is part of the Executive's plan to improve the quality of life of the population.
Speaking to ANGOP on Wednesday in Lubango, the CEO said that the works also included the fire extinguishing and fighting system and the improvement of auxiliary service systems, so in the event of an interruption, the recovery of the plant will be much easier.
He added that the voltage level will be raised to ensure its flow to more distant points, adding that the infrastructure is the second in the southern region, joining the Caraculo photovoltaic plant, in Namibe province.
Municipality of Matala
Matala is a village and seat of the municipality of the same name. It has an estimated population of 355 thousand 456 inhabitants.
It is bordered to the north by the municipality of Chicomba, in the province of Huíla, to the east by the municipalities of Jamba and Cuvelai, to the south (Ombadja and Cahama), all in the province of Cunene, and to the west (Gambos, Quipungo and Caluquembe), in Huíla. It consists of the communes of Matala, Capelongo and Mulondo.
The importance of Matala is due to its dam, which supplies electricity not only to the province of Huíla, but also to that of Namibe, and water for agriculture and livestock.
Its main factor of economic development is the irrigated perimeter of Matala, the largest in the country, with a 42-kilometer canal that feeds 10,700 hectares, implanted in 1953.MS/DOJ
