Is a 600 MWp solar plant being built in Congo?

Sun Plus, a unit of The Sandi Group (TSG), has launched construction work on a 600-MWp solar plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo that is part of an even larger project totalling 1 GWp. The two-phase scheme, known as the Kinshasa Solar City, includes the installation of a number of solar photovoltaic (PV) parks near the capital of the country.

How much solar power is available in Kinshasa?

In the area around Kinshasa there is a further 6 gW of solar available at 7 us cents per kW hr. There is also sufficient for the rural areas around Kinshasa, Mbandaka on the Congo river and the main port of Matadi. It can even be exported over the river to Brazzaville.

Will the DRC benefit from the Inga?

Currently the DRC only has 2.5 gW installed and no early benefit from the Inga. However solar and wind is available now. Existing HEP could fill in the ‘gaps’ when solar is not available. However offgrid power is essential in the rural areas and small towns across this vast country.

How much does it cost to produce solar power?

There is 5 gW of wind and 5 gW of solar within 25kms of existing and planned transmission lines. The cost of producing the solar is only 7 us cents per kW hr compared with 8 us cents per kWhr from the Inga 3 dam as estimated by the World Bank.

What is Kinshasa Solar City?

The two-phase scheme, known as the Kinshasa Solar City, includes the installation of a number of solar photovoltaic (PV) parks near the capital of the country. The 600-MWp phase one was initiated on August 19 and is expected to be completed within a year.

Is the DRC a hydroelectric country?

This has given it enormous potential for hydro electric power and almost 100% of its grid power is HEP. The DRC is the largest country in Sub Saharan Africa occupying 2,345,000 km2 with 3.32% as standing water including rivers and lakes. Its sheer size, lush vegetation and landscape has been its problem since independence in 1960.