The Congo River's huge potential for hydroelectric power may play an important role in providing power regionally (Central and Southern Africa), as well as exporting electricity to North Africa and even Southern Europe. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) currently has 1,775 megawatts (MW) of electricity generating capacity at its Inga hydroelectric facility. The Inga hydropower station comprises a 351-MW plant (Inga 1), commissioned in 1972, and a 1,424-MW plant (Inga 2) which has been in operation since 1982. Inga is located approximately 150 miles (250 kilometers) from the DRC capital of Kinshasa. Inga, operated by the DRC's Societe Nationale d'Electricite (SNEL), domestically provides power to Kinshasa and other portions of western DRC. Inga also provides power to the neighboring Republic of Congo's (Congo) power grid along a 220-kilovolt (KV) connection. The interconnection supplies nearly one-third of the electricity consumed in Congo.

Inga also exports power to Southern Africa countries including Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Power from Inga is transmitted to the Zambian grid along a 500-KV direct current (DC) line from Inga to Kolwezi in southern DRC, and a 220-KV line from Kolwezi to Kitwe in northern Zambia. Zambia and the DRC are to upgrade their current 220-kilovolt (KV) regional interconnection to a much higher transmission level to allow other SADC countries to tap Inga's energy supplies. Zambia's Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) and DRC's SNEL will undertake the upgrading project that includes construction of a new 220-KV line between Chingola in Zambia and Karavia near the southern DRC city of Lubumbashi. CEC officials stated that in addition to the new transmission line, the two countries would also repair the current 220-KV line to significantly raise the amount of hydropower that can be transmitted from DRC to Southern African countries.

Plans are currently under consideration for Inga to provide 300 MW to Beira, Mozambique. If confirmed, the deal would make Mozambique the leading importer of power from Inga. A second interconnection to Southern Africa is being considered. The 400-500 KV line would run from Inga in the DRC to Capanda, Angola. From Capanda the line goes to Matala, Angola and then on to Ruacana, Namibia.

According to figures from its Energy Ministry, DRC earned $500,000 monthly in 2001 from its energy exports. Officials at the ministry believe that DRC could triple its energy export capacity by 2003, provided that investors help develop its energy sector. DRC aims to earn $5 million a month from its energy exports by 2003.

In May 2001, German-based Siemens announced plans to invest $1 billion dollars in the DRC's electrical network, including the renovation of the Inga hydroelectric facility. The proposed project between DRC and Siemens provides for the restoration of the two power stations at Inga, improvements to the Inga-Kinshasa high-tension power line and the electrification of areas in central DRC. The first phase of the project, which will involve guaranteeing the security of the electricity supply to Kinshasa, due to be completed by 2004.

Inga 3
The viability of a second southern interconnection rests solely on expanding the generating capability of the Inga facility. Initial feasibility studies for the expansion of Inga (Inga 3) were conducted by Electricite de France (EdF) and SNEL. The 3,500 MW generation expansion is to be coupled with the rehabilitation of Inga 1 and Inga 2 and the strengthening of the existing interconnection to Southern Africa. The successful completion of Inga 3 would provide enough excess generating capacity for the creation of a new regional electricity export scheme. The new interconnection, the Western Energy Highway (WEH), would connect Inga to Lagos, Nigeria. The WEH will provide 1,000 MW of electricity to the Nigerian grid. The $600-million WEH would not only benefit Nigeria but other countries in West Africa as well.

Grand Inga
The proposed Grand Inga scheme would be the largest generating facility in Africa. Grand Inga, at 39,000 MW, would be nearly as large as South Africa's existing generating capacity (43,110 MW), and provide the possibility for a pan-African electricity exporting project. Feasibility studies conducted by EdF and funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) indicated that the Grand Inga project and the interconnector to Egypt was viable. The Northern Energy Highway (NEH), will pass through Congo, the Central African Republic, Sudan to Egypt. An alternative route for the NEH also being considered would bypass Congo. A high voltage DC connection from Inga to Nalubale, Uganda is also being proposed. It is expected that Grand Inga will be implemented in four phases at a cost of nearly $4 billion, while the NEH and related infrastructure would cost approximately $5 billion. The 6,000 MW phase 1 of Grand Inga could be operational as soon as 2010. In July 2002, SNEL officials stated that it now wants to implement the 39,000-MW Grand Inga project immediately, instead of building the Inga 3 station first.