Discover the Water Utilization Project by OEC Construction That Created 60,000 Jobs and Has Just Been Inaugurated in an African Country

The Large-Scale Project Creates Jobs and Will Provide 40% of the Energy Needed in Angola

Angola made a historic milestone in the energy sector with the inauguration of the Laúca Hydroelectric Utilization (AH), an impressive project built by the renowned company OEC – Engineering and Construction. This venture adds 65.5 megawatts of eco-friendly energy to the country’s energy complex, establishing itself as the largest project of its kind in Angola and one of the largest in all of Africa. Highlighting that the construction company also won a contract in RJ for another important project.

With the completion of this grand construction, the AH of Laúca now offers an installed capacity of 2,070 megawatts, corresponding to approximately 40% of Angola’s energy demand. Its annual production is estimated at 9 thousand GWh, significantly meeting the energy needs of the country.

Impressive Engineering and Monumental Structures

The AH of Laúca consists of structures of monumental proportions, resulting from the application of advanced technologies and efficient engineering capable of developing the best projects and solutions. To grasp the enormity of this work, the dam measures an impressive 1,070 meters in length and 156 meters in height, additionally forming an artificial lake covering an area of 188 square kilometers. The main facility, completely underground, houses six generators, each with a capacity of 334 megawatts.

The importance of this magnificent work and the exceptional quality of its execution by OEC have been duly recognized by the Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine. In 2021, the Laúca project received the prestigious Global Best Projects award, considered the “Oscar” of global engineering, in the Energy/Industrial category.

Job Creation and Support for Communities

The AH of Laúca not only revolutionizes Angola’s energy sector but also significantly contributes to job creation. Throughout the project, more than 10 thousand direct jobs and 53 thousand indirect jobs were created, with 95% of the workers being Angolan. From the beginning, the venture committed to providing opportunities for local talents, resulting in the training and hiring of over 2.3 thousand workers through the Acreditar Program, which provided basic and specific training in various professions, such as welders and carpenters. In addition, more than 150 recent graduates were hired for their first professional experience. All this effort was carried out under the supervision of 14 work safety programs implemented.

To accommodate the workforce necessary for the realization of this colossal project, OEC built extensive support infrastructure, consisting of accommodations, a sports complex, a medical center, a cinema-theater, a bank agency, a supermarket, a pharmacy, gyms, and even a beauty salon. During the peak of the works, more than 29 thousand meals were served daily in the cafeteria located in the provinces of Malanje and Kwanza Norte.

Through the Socio-Environmental Program implemented in conjunction with local communities, the project is also dedicated to reforestation, acquiring native seedlings and generating income for residents of nearby areas. Furthermore, the AH of Laúca restored 60 hectares of degraded areas at the construction site and rescued over 1,500 animals and 200 species of native plants during the lake filling process.

Transformation of the Energy Matrix and Future Prospects

The inauguration of the Laúca Hydroelectric Utilization represents a significant contribution from OEC to the transformation of Angola’s energy matrix, a country traditionally dependent on oil. Now, with a clean and sustainable energy source, Angola strengthens its energy availability and security, paving the way for social and economic development. This transformation makes the country even more attractive to foreign investors and enables it to invest in sectors such as education and job creation.

OEC’s Growth Amidst Sector Challenges

OEC once again recorded growth in 2022, with a revenue of R$ 4.6 billion, representing a 65% increase compared to the previous period. The company’s efforts to achieve positive results were notable, especially considering the reduction of the sector as a whole in Brazil. According to the Brazilian Association of Infrastructure and Base Industries (ABDIB), the volume of investments in works in the country decreased by 31% since 2014, while public investments were cut in half. In 2021, the total investments in infrastructure accounted for only 1.57% of GDP, the lowest level ever recorded according to the National Confederation of Industry (CNI). To reduce the bottlenecks to economic and social development, annual investments equivalent to 4.3% of GDP would be needed over the next ten years.

OEC: A History of Excellence and Sustainability

With a history of 78 years, OEC – Engineering and Construction stands out as responsible for executing more than 2,900 large-scale projects in over 30 countries around the world. Its portfolio includes hydroelectric, thermal, and nuclear power plants, bridges, viaducts, tunnels, subway and urban train lines, airports, ports, railways, refineries, industrial and mining works. OEC received the Global Best