The Luachimo Hydroelectric Power Station is a hydroelectric power plant near Luachimo in northeast Angola, close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo .[1]
| Luachimo Hydroelectric Power Station | |
|---|---|
  Location of Luachimo Hydroelectric Power Station in Angola | |
| Country | Angola |
| Location | Luachimo |
| Coordinates | 07°21′47″S 20°50′36″E / 7.36306°S 20.84333°E |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1957 |
| Construction cost | US$212 million |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Luachimo River |
| Ruacana Power Station | |
| Turbines | Francis-type 4 x 8.5 MW (11,400 hp) |
| Installed capacity | 34 MW (46,000 hp) |
Location edit
The power station is located across the Luachimo River, in the commune of Luachimo, in the Lunda Norte Province of Angola, adjacent to the international border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Luachimo is the location of the city of Dundo, approximately 1,123 kilometres (698 mi), by road, northeast of Luanda, the capital and largest city of Angola.[2] The geographical coordinates of Luachimo Hydroelectric Power Station are:07°21'47.0"S, 20°50'36.0"E (Latitude:-7.363056; Longitude:20.843333).[3]
Overview edit
Construction of the original power station at this site, started in 1953.[4] In 1957 the power station began operations with four turbines each rated at 2.1 megawatts for a total generation capacity of 8.4 megawatts (11,265 hp). The power station is owned and operated by Empresa Nacional de Diamantes de Angola.[5]
Rehabilitation and expansion edit
Plans to rehabilitate and expand this power station have been in the works since 2009, wen Emanuela Vieira Lopes, the country's minister of Energy, made those plans public.[6]
In 2016 work began at the power station, to increase generation capacity from 8.4 megawatts to 34 megawatts. Each new turbine will have generation capacity of 8.5 megawatts. The power generated will supply the 186,000 people who live in Dundo City and surrounding neighborhoods. The renovations and upgrade to the power station cost US$212 million.[7]
The renovated, expanded power station with generation capacity of 34 MW, was commercially commissioned on 17 May 2024. The engineering, procurement and construction contractor was China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC).[8]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Hans Wolfhard (March 2017). "Luachimo, Angola: New Compact Turbines For More Power - Small & Mini Hydro". Vienna, Austria: Andritz.com. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ Google (12 June 2020). "Distance Between Luanda And Dundo In Angola" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ Google (12 June 2020). "Location of Luachimo Hydroelectric Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ Hydro Review (29 May 2008). "Refurbishment planned for Angola's 9-MW Luachimo, 1.6-MW Kunje". Hydroreview.com. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ Industry About (15 July 2017). "Luachimo Hydro Power Plant". Industryabout.com. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ Angola Press News Agency (30 May 2009). "Luachimo's hydroelectric power plant to be rehabilitated". Luanda: Angola Press News Agency. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ Angola Press News Agency (10 June 2020). "State Secretary for Energy oversees Luachimo dam works". Luanda: Angola Press News Agency. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (30 May 2024). "Energy China relaunches the Luachimo hydroelectric power station in Angola". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
External links edit
- Power Generation in Angola As of 3 January 2020.