ANGOLA – Technology group Voith has secured an order to furnish equipment for the expansive hydropower facility, Caculo Cabaça, in Angola.
The comprehensive order encompasses both electrical and mechanical apparatus, incorporating the installation of four 530 MW Francis turbines each, an additional 52 MW Francis turbine, generators, control and auxiliary systems, along with a bespoke training regimen.
Situated approximately 250 km southeast of Luanda, Angola’s capital, along the Kwanza River in the province of Kwanza Norte, the Caculo Cabaça plant is slated to integrate with the grid, boasting a cumulative capacity of 2,172 MW by the decade’s end.
The completion of pilot tests paves the way for commissioning, anticipated to result in nearly two-thirds of Angola’s energy deriving from hydropower.
A comprehensive six-stage training program has been devised for local personnel, encompassing the establishment of a training center within Angola.
Voith remains committed to sustained project assistance post-commissioning, ensuring seamless long-term operations.
Dr. Tobias Keitel, President and CEO of Voith Hydro, emphasizes their role as partners in fostering sustainable project execution, extending support from joint project development to personnel training for plant operators and governments.
This endeavor represents a significant milestone for Angola, facilitating a more expansive and reliable energy supply for societal and industrial needs.
Presently, electricity provision caters to only about half of the population, leaving many, especially in rural areas, without access.
Despite Africa’s substantial untapped hydropower potential, this project underscores an impactful step towards harnessing this resource.
Coordinated from Heidenheim, Germany, the project primarily generates value at Voith’s headquarters.
With over 90 years of engagement in hydroelectric projects across Africa, Voith has played a pivotal role in fostering economic growth.
Voith’s involvement in prior hydropower initiatives in Angola, notably at Cambambe I and Cambambe II facilities, underscores its dedication to local skill development, a crucial aspect of its contributions.
The project’s realization was made possible through a unique financing model. Voith, in collaboration with the German government, Euler Hermes specialists, and a German banking consortium led by Commerzbank and UniCredit, structured a tailored, long-term financing arrangement for the Republic of Angola.
This involved export credit guarantees, facilitating sustainable infrastructure investments, amounting to a total order volume exceeding $1 billion.
The German Foreign Trade and Investment Promotion Scheme, particularly valuable during budgetary constraints, offers programs enabling prolonged and sustainable funding for such vital infrastructure undertakings in Africa.
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