Kinshasa, August 9, 2024 (Fatshimetrie) – Access to electricity remains a crucial issue for the development of the Democratic Republic of Congo. With this in mind, the central government recently made a commitment to support the project to extend the Busanga dam in Lualaba, located in the southeast of the country. This initiative aims to facilitate access to electricity for the population, by combining the extension of existing infrastructure with the integration of photovoltaic technology.
The Minister of Water Resources and Electricity, Teddy Lwamba, stressed the importance of this extension to quickly meet the energy needs of the population. According to him, the hybridization of the Busanga dam with photovoltaic technologies will make it possible to provide electricity in a shorter time frame. This approach is part of efforts to support the country’s economic development by promoting broader access to electrical energy.
Minister Lwamba’s visit to the Busanga hydroelectric power plant provided an opportunity to see the progress made by the company “Socihydro” within the framework of this Sino-Congolese joint venture. With an installed capacity of 240 megawatts and an average annual production of 1.331 billion kilowatts, the Busanga dam represents an important step towards securing the electricity supply in the region.
At the same time, the issue of access to drinking water is also a pressing issue in Kolwezi. The Minister’s visit to the water treatment plant in the commune of Dilala highlighted the challenges related to the production and distribution of water in the region. Faced with limited production capacity and growing demand, solutions must be considered to improve the supply of drinking water.
The deficit in electricity and drinking water is a major challenge for the Congolese government, which must find sustainable solutions to meet the needs of the population. The revitalization of electricity and water infrastructure, such as the Busanga Dam and the Dilala water treatment plant, is essential to support the country’s socio-economic development.
In a context where the mining industry plays a major role in the Congolese economy, the availability of electricity and water is crucial to ensure the nation’s growth and prosperity. The government, aware of these challenges, is committed to supporting projects aimed at strengthening energy and water supplies, with the aim of meeting the basic needs of the population and promoting long-term sustainable development.