Libreville — The Luanda Electricity Supply Company (EDEL) loses about US$ 10 million per year to illegal connections and non-payment of bills by consumers, said the Angolan News Agency (ANGOP).

Lamenting the situation, the president of EDEAL's managing board, Jose Manuel Francisco, said if illegal connections and the debts were recovered, the funds could be used for the installation of 50 transformers and other equipment in various other localities in the capital, Luanda.

He said, however, that EDEL was taking the necessary actions to plug the losses.

Francisco said some of these actions included installation of meters, introduction of new payment technologies and the creation of distribution centers in the nine districts of the province, which would ensure a major control of consumption.

He said that until 2003, Luanda had three electricity supplying sub-stations, against the current 11, while another 25 would be installed by 2012.

EDEL currently serves more than 200,000 customers of medium and low income earners.