DRC: Intermediate solutions to reduce the energy deficit of the mining industry

The energy deficit of more than 2,000 megawatts plunges the development of the mining industry in the DRC. All mining operators and experts in the energy sector are unanimous on the fact that only the Grand Inga can sustainably meet this demand. In the meantime, it is imperative to move towards intermediate solutions as the need for energy only increases.

This issue was at the center of the discussions of the second DRC Mining Week Panel, this June 19th, 2019 at Pullman Hotel Karavia in Lubumbashi.

Four speakers proposed solutions in this debate led by the president of FEC / Grand Katanga, Eric Monga.

The first intermediate solution is the LUENA project of Gécamines. He was introduced by Dieudonné Nduwa. This project offers 540 megawatts in two phases. The feasibility studies have already been completed and the next step will be the actual construction. However, says the speaker, there is a funding problem. Hence, its appeal to the financial partners to get involved in this investment.

Second solution, AEE Power presented by Guy Martial Nezou, its regional director in the DRC. AEE Power is an international entrepreneur and power developer specializing in the energy sector and geared towards developing countries. This is one of two companies is in the Inga 3 project.

This company has signed a public-private partnership contract with SNEL in 2016. They have identified three hydroelectric plants to be built with a capacity of 240 megawatts while the need is estimated at more than 250 MW.

The third targets the use of a hybrid solution: hydroelectric and thermal plant. Andy Sambwe of Kibali Gold Mine shared with the audience their experience to make up for the deficit. This mining company has embarked on the construction of four hydroelectric plants.

The fourth solution was presented by Vika Dipanzu, former director general of SNEL. Instead, he proposes the import of electricity from Congo-Brazzaville where they already import 300 megawatts with the company he runs, Katanga Energy.

Until then, he said, they serve 180 megawatts and they have a surplus of 120 megawatts that they reserve for potential customers.

RE(READ) : DRC Mining Week, the 15th edition starts this Wednesday June 19, 2019 in Lubumbashi

As these intermediary solutions among many others are beneficial to the mining industry, the Congolese state should encourage private investors to invest in the energy sector.

As a reminder, the Government’s policy is to bring the DRC, on the one hand, to market and export high-value merchantable mining products and, on the other hand, to promote the establishment of manufacturing industries for processing. local merchant mining products, in order to enable the Congolese people to take full advantage of its wealth.

Nadine FULA