Angola - Energy sector efficiency and expansion programme (ESEEP) - Phase I

The Energy Sector Efficiency and Expansion Programme Phase 1 (ESEEP I) is designed to strengthen Angola's power transmission and distribution system. It’s structured around three components: (i) Construction of a 343 km long 400kV Central-South transmission line; (ii) Revenue improvement through installation of prepaid meters; and (iii) Program management for project design and implementation. The program will reinforce the operational capacity of the Angolan power distribution utility (ENDE) while increasing the wheeling capacity of the transmission system countrywide. The programme will help to: (i) reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower the costs of electricity generation; and (ii) improve the reliability of national power systems and better cope with peak loads. The existing customer base of 1.374 million customers will benefit from more reliable and efficient service. The southern provinces of the country, most affected by the war, are supplied with electricity by systems operated in isolation and fuelled by expensive diesel fuel when the hydroelectric capacity of the northern power grid is not only in excess, but at low cost. ESEEP I intends to address this anomaly. The country would also have the opportunity to replace existing expensive thermal power plants and thereby reduce the cost of electricity generation.