Voith has been selected to provide all electrical and mechanical equipment for the Caculo Cabaça hydropower plant in Angola, West Africa.
The Caculo Cabaça project encompasses the installation of four 530MW Francis turbines, along with an additional Francis turbine generating 52 MW. Voith's scope of work also includes generators, control and auxiliary systems, and the implementation of a tailored training concept.
Positioned approximately 250km southeast of Luanda, the capital of Angola, the hydropower plant on the Kwanza River is set to be seamlessly integrated into the grid, contributing a total capacity of 2172MW by the end of the decade. Pilot tests have recently been successfully concluded, paving the way for the next phase of the project.
Voith's involvement in hydropower projects in Africa spans over 90 years, demonstrating a lasting commitment to the region's economic growth. The company has previously played a key role in supplying equipment for the Cambambe I and Cambambe II hydropower facilities in Angola. Recognizing the importance of local skill development, Voith has designed a comprehensive six-stage training concept for Caculo Cabaça, including the establishment of a training center in Angola to support the regional workforce beyond the commissioning stage.
Dr. Tobias Keitel, President and CEO of Voith Hydro, said: “We see ourselves as a partner for sustainable project implementation and provide support to plant operators and governments, from joint project development to the training of personnel.”
One of the unique aspects of the Caculo Cabaça project is the customized financing package arranged by Voith. With the support of the German government, export credit guarantees from Euler Hermes, and a consortium led by Commerzbank and UniCredit, Voith secured a long-term financing solution for the Republic of Angola, totaling over US$1 billion. This financial structure is particularly crucial in times of budget constraints, offering a sustainable financing model for critical infrastructure projects.
The Caculo Cabaça hydropower plant represents a pivotal moment in Angola's quest for a more robust and widespread energy supply. Currently, only half the population has access to electricity, with many in rural areas still lacking this essential service. The project not only addresses these gaps but also showcases how regional power supply can expand sustainably, efficiently, and with low emissions. The surplus energy generated is expected to replace environmentally unsound sources and be shared with neighboring countries, contributing to Angola's economic development.
During the main construction phase, the Caculo Cabaça project is anticipated to create around 7,000 jobs, further benefiting the local workforce and economy.
Kwanza river in the Kwanza Norte province
