Angola - To energize the future

Angola’s government plans to increase the electrification rate up to 60% by 2025, investing billions in the energy sector to construct new power stations, transmission and distribution networks and to rehabilitate existing facilities. Angola not only wants to improve its energy supply, but also to become an electricity exporting country in the Southern African Development Com­munity (SADAC).

A special focus is on energy production from hydropower – there is an estimated potential of about 150,000 GWh/year corresponding to an impressive installed capacity of about 18,000 MW. Only some 4% of this hydropower potential has been tapped so far.

Angola has already defined potential hydropower projects in the three main river basins - the Cuanza River in the north, Catumbela River in central An­go­la and Cunene River in the south. In the coming years it is expected that the power production capacity will be increased from the existing 1,528 MW up to about 5,000 MW. Angola is also planning to open up the energy market for private investors in the near future, especially with regard to smaller hydropower projects.

ANDRITZ HYDRO 

ANDRITZ HYDRO has been active in Angola since the 1950s, supplying equipment for HPP Cambambe (272 MW), HPP Matala (42.63 MW), HPP Neuville (38.6 MW), and numerous small hydropower plants. ANDRITZ HYDRO is ready and looking forward to support Angola in its extensive plan to develop its promising hydropower potential.

HPP Laúca

In 2014, ANDRITZ HYDRO received a contract to supply the electro-mechanical equipment for HPP Laúca, a new hydropower plant located in the middle part of the Kwanza River.  The project consists of a main power house with six units and an eco-power house with one unit. Total capacity of HPP Laúca will be 2,070 MW with a head of about 200 m. It will supply renewable energy to meet the rapidly growing demand of the capital Luanda.

The scope of supply for ANDRITZ HYDRO includes design, supply, installation supervision, and commissioning of the Francis turbines, generators, main transformers, isolated bus ducts, control and protection system, as well as the security, access control and telecommunication systems for the above mentioned main and eco-power houses. The project is in the main installation phase. The rotor of the first unit was lifted into position in December 2016; the commissioning period has started in the meantime.

At HPP Laúca several social activities are taking place, e.g. a permanent training center was established directly on site, where currently 85 people are being trained. ANDRITZ HYDRO has supplied the equipment for three labs of this training center. The objective is to prepare technicians for operation and maintenance of HPP Laúca and for future projects of power generation and transmission in Angola.

HPP Luachimo

In March 2017, ANDRITZ HYDRO was awarded the contract to supply the complete turbine equipment for the new Luachimo hydropower plant, located on the Luachimo River, near Dundo village, Lunda-North Province. The general scope comprises the construction of a complete new 36 MW powerhouse next to the old power station. ANDRITZ HYDRO will supply four horizontal Compact Axial Turbines (CAT), four hydraulic power units, the sealing and lubricating water supply systems, and the turbine governors. Transportation up to site, installation and the commissioning are completing the contractual scope. The commercial operation of the new hydropower plant will start in June 2019.

Author: Wilhelm Karanitsch