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The Grand Inga Dam is capable of producing 44,000 Megawatts of power and is estimated to cost USD 80 billion.
A major hydroelectric project is coming up in the Democratic Republic of Congo funded by the World Bank and other financial institutions. Discussions are underway on the modalities of funding the mega project. The Grand Inga Dam is capable of producing 44,000 Megawatts of power and is estimated to cost USD 80 billion.
Analysts point out that the mega project can bridge the gap between supply and demand for power in the resource-rich country. The government plans to construct 6 hydropower stations near a waterfall in western DRC to add to the two that are already operational. The Grand Inga Dam will be the world’s largest hydropower dam once it is completed.
Business people attending an international forum known as Makutano are eagerly waiting for the dam to start producing power. The construction has stalled for over a decade because of disagreements between the former DRC government and the World Bank over issues of transparency.
However, the current government has revived talks with the World Bank to fund the project. The project has also faced opposition from activists for focusing more on the needs of investors in the mining sector rather than the goal of supplying electricity throughout the country.
A significant amount of the electricity generated will go to the DRC’s mining heartland of Katanga. South Africa and Nigeria have also expressed interest in importing power from the Grand Inga Dam. The country will also have to work to make access to electricity affordable to its mostly impoverished people.
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Businesspeople attending the Makutano International Forum ending on November 15 were eagerly waiting for the dam to start operations. It may take another decade for the 6 dams to be completed and generate clean energy in the DRC, but it’s worth the wait.
