Chinese solar company Hanergy Thin Film Power Group has won a deal to build the first solar PV plants in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hanergy will deliver 400 MW of solar power from several projects under an agreement with the DRC’s Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic Resources of Democratic Republic of Congo.
Under the pact, Hanergy will help the ministry to develop projects covering electricity, water, renewable energy and fuel.
The cooperation is intended to gradually reduce the energy scarcity faced by the mining industry in the provinces of Katanga, Lualaba, Kasaï-Oriental, Kasaï-Central, Kivu and Sankuru by building the solar PV plants.
José Maboya Nzalingo, general secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic Resources, said the Hanergy deal “is a step ahead towards meeting DRC’s original target of 65 per cent electrification by 2025, plus new sustainable development goals of universal electricity access by 2030”.
“We’re confident of providing sustainable and stable energy supply in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
The 400 MW-worth of power stations are expected to solve the problem of energy inadequacy in the DRC and also create around 10,000 jobs, plus provide education to create 100 technology specialists.
Guo Bin, chief executive of Hanergy Uganda, said: “We recognise the potential of renewable energy in Congolese market and have set out a roadmap to accelerate our expansion plan in the country while supporting the need for sustainable and stable energy supply.
He said the 400 MW power plants were “primarily aimed at meeting the on-peak demand of nearby mining companies and reduce local diesel consumption, while reducing carbon emissions substantially”.
Even though the DRC has extensive mineral resources, its national electrification access rate is low – most recent figures put it at just 9 per cent.
