Energy minister announces Ngove Dam's inauguration

Angola/Huambo, Huambo – The minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, on Saturday here announced the definitive inauguration of the Ngove hydro-electrical dam next August, with an installed capacity to produce 60 megawatts for the central provinces of Huambo and Bié.“During a tour to the undertaking, we did not witness a situation capable of derailing and compromising this objective. Next March 31st we shall launch the first turbine for tests with electrical charge and connection to the supply network and the remaining groups shall be installed by late July”, he stressed.The official assured that the factors that might cause some delays are linked to the supply network, especially to the city of Huambo. João Baptista Borges stressed that there are some projects for the rehabilitation of power supply networks to the cities of Huambo and Caála, as well as the construction of two sub-stations that are registering some delays. The Ngove hydro-electrical dam is situated in the sector with a similar name, 119 kilometres from the city of Huambo, it has an installed capacity of producing 60 megawatts and its rehabilitation, under aegis of the Brazilian Odebrechet construction firm, has an initial estimated value of more than USD 150 million.The works for the construction of the aforesaid dam kick-started in 1969, but were interrupted in 1975 due to the armed conflict.