Energy Towers

“In 2012, we had a 30,000 square-metre plot of land and the dream of creating an iconic building that would be a landmark in Mozambican architecture,” starts off Rofino Licuco, CEO of developing company VBC Corporation. “I remember that at the time, the project was seen as practically impossible, a ‘crazy dream’. Even so, we went ahead with the architectural design and waited for the best time to implement it. We started construction in 2019, a few months before COVID-19 hit the world...”

Today, the towers are occupied by around 700 people from two important institutions: Tower 1 houses the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, and Tower 2 houses the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional and Religious Affairs. This not only underlines the practical importance of the project, but also the pride Energy Towers invokes in the local community.

In many ways, the Energy Towers were a first in Mozambique. From the materials to the construction method, the technology, the experience... How can you complete such an impressive project if all these elements were practically new or non-existent in the country? Well, you reach your goals by finding the right building partners.

The search for a manufacturer and installer capable of doing the job, was long and difficult. Once that stage was over, new challenges arose: a tight construction deadline and the search for the right materials that would meet project requirements. So, while the teams and infrastructure were being prepared in Mozambique, in Europe, particularly in Portugal, partnerships were being formed to supply essential building components, such as the façade profiles and glass. Reynaers Aluminium and Saint-Gobain were key partners in the success of this venture.

With these challenges in mind, an exhaustive survey of the project – including measurements and materials – was carried out to create a 3D model and simulate the optimal solution. ConceptWall 50, the flagship stick façade system by Reynaers Aluminium, was chosen to meet the project’s bold design and to guarantee the speed of production. The system also met Energy Towers’ performance needs, especially in terms of wind load, a major concern for this exposed location where the wind can reach peaks of 240 km/h.

Erecting the façade with approximately 7,000 square metres of glazed area and installing heavy glass panels weighing between 250 and 600 kg at great heights was a huge challenge. Furthermore, most workers in Mozambique had no experience in constructing glass façades of this magnitude. However, with professional guidance, the initial fear gradually turned into confidence, confidence turned into motivation, and the project was successfully completed in 2021.

Through positive energy and solid partnerships, the Energy Towers were born in true “Together for better” spirit. Teófilo Nhantumbo, project manager at VBC Corporation, describes the successful collaboration with the fabricator and system supplier: “The team was spectacular. They did a great job preparing and coordinating everything, and their professionalism was evident from the preparation to the support on site. Once the façade elements started arriving, everything went smoothly.”

Rofino Licuco concludes: “I am Mozambican, and VBC Corporation is a company with 100% Mozambican capital. It is with immense pride that I see how Energy Towers have become a symbol of innovation and prosperity in my country. People often take photographs and post them on social media, spreading the word about our project to all corners of the world.”