Regional cooperation Improving energy supply, bringing down the cost of energy

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo is generating almost all of its electric power from renewable sources. It has the largest hydropower potential in Africa – estimated at 100 gigawatts. Hydropower is a renewable energy that can be developed at low cost; it has the potential to supply not only the DR Congo with energy but also export markets in southern Africa. Through its development cooperation, Germany is helping to ensure that this potential is harnessed more efficiently in the Great Lakes region.

    Inga dam with run-of-river power plants in the Democratic Republic of Congo

    Inga dam with run-of-river power plants in the Democratic Republic of Congo

    In 2020, only roughly 2.4 gigawatts of installed capacity were available for hydropower electricity generation. Yet, because of wear and tear and technical problems only approximately 70 per cent of this capacity were actually readily available for power generation. At the same time, only about 20 per cent of the people have access to electricity. In rural regions, this rate is as low as one per cent.

    The BMZ is supporting efforts to technically upgrade the two largest power plants of the DR Congo to ensure that the power generated reaches consumers safely and with minimal losses.

    In addition, financial support is being provided for the construction of new hydropower plants and transmission lines on the Ruzizi river. Both people in the eastern provinces of the DR Congo and in Rwanda and Burundi are to benefit from improved power supply and lower production costs. Support is also being provided to promote the technical dialogue between the experts of the three countries. This is especially valuable against the backdrop of the growing conflicts in the region.


    As at: 19/07/2023