The Laúca Hydropower Plant recently commissioned a third power generation group making it Angola’s largest hydropower plant.

With a current installed power of over 1 000 MW and three generation groups, out of a total of six, in full operation Laúca has surpassed the installed capacity of the Capanda (520 MW) and Cambambe (960 MW) Hydropower plants.

Once the sixth generator set, which is currently being assembled ,comes into operation, Laúca will reach an installed capacity of 2 070 MW, becoming one of the largest hydropower plants in Southern Africa, alongside the Cahora Bassa Hydropower plant, in Mozambique.

Scope of works

The construction of the Laúca Hydropower Plant, is a project of the Government of Angola, and is being constructed by consultancy firm Odebrecht.

The company is responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction services, including the supply, assembly and commissioning of all electromechanical equipment, carried out on the project.

The scope of the project also includes the execution of 750 kilometres of energy transmission lines and the construction and expansion of nine switchyards which will be used in to export energy to the main consumer centres.

Jobs, social programs and environmental protection

The Laúca Hydropower plant has already created more than 13 000 direct jobs for Angolan nationals and under Odebrecht´s guidance; the project has intensified biodiversity preservation and the rescue of local fauna and flora.

These activities began in March 2017, at the start of the reservoir impoundment, in addition to the water quality monitoring program of the Kwanza River.

The project has also developed social programs with the surrounding communities, focusing on education and on job training. Small enterprises were then established in the communities, organised in agricultural production units of flour, bread and soap. In all, more than 300 families benefit from income-generating programs.