The DRC immense energy potential consists of non-renewable resources such as oil, natural gas and uranium, and renewable energy sources including hydroelectric, biomass, solar, wind, and geothermal power. The government’s vision is to increase the level of service up to 32% in 2030.
The Congo River, which is the second largest river in the world with its basin astride the Equator provides an energy potential estimated at 100,000 MW spread across 780 sites in 145 territories and 76 000 villages. This potential represents approximately 37% of the African overall potential and about 6% of the global potential.
Of the total installed capacity in DRC estimated at 2,516 MW, Societe Nationale d’Electricite (SNEL) has a generation capacity of about 2,416 MW or 96% of Hydroelectric power which accounts of domestic power generation and is generated by the Inga I and Inga II dams that are located in Kongo Central province. Current production is only 6,000 to 7,000 Gwh.
Our Vision for this sector
Increase the supply rate of electricity from 9% to 32%.
Construction of energy highways in the following lines:
Inga Site → Angola → Namibia → Botswana → South Africa
Inga Site → Central Africa → Chad → Libya
Inga Site → Malawi → Zambia → Zimbabwe → Lesotho
Transmission line construction
Last mile power transmission infrastructure
Mobile power generators
Hydroelectric turbine construction, maintenance
The establishment of a regulatory authority of electricity;
The transformation of SNEL (National Company of Electricity) and REGIDESO (Water Authority) into commercial companies;
59% projected increase level of electrification in the country by 2030.
Construction of 4 Pan African energy;
Construction of hydroelectric plants Wanie of Rukula (688 MW) of Sombwe (186 MW) of Kalengwe (204 MW) and Kamimbi / FUTA (53 MW);
Rehabilitation and modernization of G16 and G13 groups of INGA I and G24 Inga II;
Construction of Inga III low head (4800 MW);
Construction of Inga III high head (3000MW);
217 hydroelectric sites identified for construction of hydroelectric power plants;
Production Potential estimated at 44000MW;
Transportation, Distribution and Marketing potentials.
A. To become self-producer of electricity.
To build a hydroelectric power plant for personal use, you should obtain a license from the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (rdcministerenergie@yahoo.fr);
In case he would sell electricity, you should must apply to the same Ministry.
In any case, the promoter may rely on the support of ANAPI that will advocate for him with the Ministry concerned.
B. Partnership Procedure.
In case of project financing Directly contact either the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources or SNEL (public electricity company) for signing a memorandum of understanding;
A MoU may be considered following discussions that result from the contact with the Ministry of Energy and SNEL.
In case of implementation of a project Being registered as a company existing in the DRC;
Get approval from the Ministries of Energy and Public Works.
C. Procedure for electricity connection.
Four (4) steps are required for connecting in medium voltage (MT):
Step One : Opening of the file (3 days) Withdrawal of the application form by the applicant from the Research department in charge of electrical connection of the private cabins or from the website of the National Electricity Company (www.snel-rdc.com); Submission of the complete file (form, civil engineering plans and wiring diagrams).
Step Two: Technical studies and approval of the application (7 days) Review by SNEL of the record of the new Medium Voltage cabin (MV)/Low Voltage (LV) in accordance with plans and standard patterns and assessment of the possibility to connect it to the network; Issuance of quotations thereon by SNEL in case of a favorable opinion at the applicant’s expense and in case of refusal, the applicant’s notification by SNEL in that regard.
Step Three: Technical examination (1 day) Payment to SNEL of the quotation by the applicant and notification by the latter of the end of Cabin construction at SNEL; Compliance control by SNEL of the piece of work compared to approved drawings and diagrams and that of the connection material in relation to the technical specifications required.
Step Four: Signature and setting the cabin into service (7 days) Payment of the subscription policy; Signature of the energy supply contract; Connecting the MT/LT cab to the network; Setting the system of counting, adjusting and automation; Setting the cabin into service.
Time required: 18 days
KINSHASA
Solar Potential: average sunshine varies between 3.22 and 4.89 kWh / m² / day;
Wind potential: the average annual wind speed measured at 10 m height is 1.3 m / s;
Electrification rate: 44.1%. Katanga •Solar Potential: 6.5 kWh / m² / day ;
Wind potential: average wind speed of over 5m / sec ;
The installed capacity is 567 MW, while the current demand is estimated around 900 MW (including 600 MW only for the mining sector)
BAS-CONGO
The hydropower potential is estimated at 64,000 MW (560,640 GWh) per year;
The Inga site alone stands for 69% of the potential (ie 44,000 MW). Province Orientale •The overall potential of the sites currently identified is estimated at 7200MW;
The electrification rate: 3.6%.
KASAI ORIENTAL
The electrification rate in the province is very low (0.5%);
Energy requirements (2012) are estimated at 264.774 MW against the insignificant current installed capacity (2012): 1.94 MW, thus highlighting a very important gap that makes stop all sectors;
The solar potential: 4.4 and 5.14 kWh / m2 / day.
KASAI OCCIDENTAL
The hydroelectric potential is 103 MW;
The electrification rate is very low: 1% with a non-existent power;
The total installed capacity is 31.7 MW 20.7 MW stopped representing 65.2% of installed power;
The solar potential varies between 5.16 kWh / m² / day and 5.26 kWh/ m2 /day.
NORD-KIVU
The current electrification rate is estimated at 3.1%;
The installable power can reach 240.3 MW;
Biomass potential: the annual producible energy can reach 76,583.74 MWh ;
Solar potential: the average sunshine varies between 4 and 5.5 kWh / m2 / day;
Natural gas: the potential could reach 57.00 billion Nm3.
SUD-KIVU
Hydroelectric potential: the installable power can reach 1050.00 MW;
Biomass potential: the annual producible energy can reach 109 878.88 MWh / year;
Solar potential: average sunshine reaches 5 kWh /m2 / day;
Wind potential: the average annual rate of less than 5 m/s;
Natural gas: the potential could reach 57.00 billion Nm3;
Annual electrification rate: 7.9%.
MANIEMA
The electrification rate is very low 3.0%;
The solar potential, located in a strip between 3,5 and 6.75 KWh / m² / day);
Production is available: 2.1MW.
BANDUNDU
Hydroelectric potential estimated at 104 MW;
Solar potential: sunshine varying from 4.5 to 7 kWh /m² /day;
The electrification rate is 0.6%, penultimate nationally;
The province has a huge gap of about 408.35 MW between supply and demand: the installed capacity of existing facilities is 22.66 MW, against a power of 431,01MW to cover current energy needs.
EQUATEUR
The electrification rate: Very low ≈1.4% while the province has several sites identified in the northern part;
Strong biomass potential (about 40 million hectares of forests on 86 million that abounds the DRC;
Energy requirements (2012) in the province are estimated at 426, 085 MW (all territories of Equateur), against an availability of around 26, 770MW (2010);
Good sunshine level with values between 5 and 5.5 kWh/ m²/d.
Legal Framework
Law No. 14/011 of 17 June 2014 aims to regulate the energy sector in the DRC:
- Effective liberalization of the sector;
- The promotion and harmonious development of supply in urban, pre-urban and rural areas;
- The coverage in electricity need for all categories by the quality supplies;
- The guarantee of fair competition between operators and users’ rights.
This law applies to activities of production, transmission, distribution, import, export and marketing of electricity implemented by any operator.