Electrification projects can change the lives of thousands of people, as evidenced by the initiative carried out in the province of Maïndombe in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE) recently issued notices of compliance for two electrification projects for fifteen cities in the province. A significant step forward in access to electricity for a population that badly needs it.
These electrification projects are carried out by the Lake Maïndombe Electricity Company (ELECTRILAC SAS) in partnership with Enesys Deutschland. The objective is to build photovoltaic stations in fifteen towns in the province, using renewable energies, and more specifically solar energy.
The province of Maïndombe presents a particular challenge in terms of electrification, because it is located in the central basin of the Congo Basin, a flat area where there are no waterfalls to build electric dams. This has hampered access to electricity for many DRC provinces located in this region.
However, with technological advances in the field of renewable energies, especially solar energy, new opportunities have opened up. The hybrid photovoltaic solar power plants that will be built as part of these electrification projects will provide electricity to more than 14,000 households, or more than 100,000 people.
AER Director General, Sandrine Ngalula Mubenga, welcomed the progress of these projects. She pointed out that the ELECTRILAC 1 and 2 solar power plants will be equipped with more than 14,000 solar panels with a lithium ion battery storage system. These facilities will produce 5 MW of electricity, which will be distributed to the cities of Maïndombe. The commissioning of the network is planned by June 2024.
This electrification initiative in the province of Maïndombe is a major step forward in improving the living conditions of the population. Access to electricity is essential for economic, social and educational development. It opens up new perspectives, particularly in the fields of health, education and entrepreneurship.
In conclusion, the electrification projects of fifteen cities in the province of Maïndombe in the Democratic Republic of Congo constitute a significant step forward in access to electricity for a population that badly needs it. Solar photovoltaic hybrid technologies open new opportunities for provinces located in areas where the construction of electric dams is difficult. These projects represent an important step towards more sustainable economic and social development