The electrification of rural areas is a major challenge for the development and improvement of the living conditions of the populations. It is in this perspective that the Electricity Regulatory Authority in the Democratic Republic of Congo (ARE) issued compliance notices for two electrification projects in the province of Maïndombe.
The Lake Maïndombe Electricity Company (ELECTRILAC SAS), in partnership with Enesys Deutschland, will build photovoltaic stations in 15 towns in the province. This initiative will provide electricity to the population and compensate for the lack of electric dams in the region.
Maïndombe is one of the provinces located in the central basin of the Congo Basin, a flat area where the construction of electric dams is difficult. However, thanks to renewable energies, especially solar, an unexpected opportunity is offered to these provinces to finally have access to electricity.
The hybrid photovoltaic solar power plants built by ELECTRILAC SAS will produce 5 MW, thus supplying electricity to more than 14,000 households, or more than 100,000 people. These plants will be equipped with more than 14,000 solar panels with a lithium ion battery storage system.
The delivery of compliance notices to ELECTRILAC SAS is a real satisfaction for Gilbert Nkuli Yengani, general manager of the company. It announces the arrival of the equipment in November and plans to commission the network by June 2024.
This Maïndombe electrification project is part of a broader initiative to promote renewable energies in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It will make it possible to improve the living conditions of the local populations, by offering them access to electricity, and will thus contribute to the socio-economic development of the region.
This ARE initiative is in addition to other electrification projects underway in the country and demonstrates the Congolese government’s commitment to developing energy infrastructure and promoting access to electricity for all.
In conclusion, the electrification of Maïndombe thanks to solar energy is a significant step forward for the province and for the Democratic Republic of Congo as a whole. This demonstrates that renewable energies are a promising solution to meet the energy needs of rural areas and contribute to the sustainable development of the country