DRC-Lualaba:The Busanga hydroelectric plant will be launched in November 2021
The Busanga hydroelectric power station, located in the territory of Lubudi, chiefdom of Munanga, in the province of Lualaba, 138 km from Kolwezi, will be commissioned on November 20, 2021. The launch of this hydroelectric project, which began in November 2017, will effectively remedy the shortage of electricity at the Sino-Congolaise des Mines (SICOMINES) in its phase II of its development and the surrounding area. The total investment of the Busanga hydroelectric project amounts to USD 656 million. The total installed capacity is four turbines at 240 MW. The average annual electricity production is 1320 billion KW.h. ACTUALITE.CD and DESKECO.COM visited the works of the achievements of this hydroelectric power station.
The Concession Contract relating to the production of electrical energy at the Busanga site on the Lualaba river in the same Province was signed between SICOHYDRO SA and the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic Resources (DRC).
Busanga is a roller-compacted concrete double-curvature arch dam. The duration of its concession to operate the project is 30 years. In other words, 30 years later, SYCOHIDRO SA will hand over control of this hydroelectric power station to the DRC.
The volume of earthworks excavation of the Busanga power plant is 1.86 million m³ with a volume of concrete of 0.77 million m³, cement of 140,000 tons, fly ash of 80,000 tons, steel of 30,000 tons, and sand and gravel of 950,000 m².
The construction of the project is extremely complex and the requirements for the organization of the construction are extremely high. The most striking of these is the roller-compacted concrete double-curvature arch dam up to 141.5 meters.
Busanga dam and new economic opportunities
The construction of the Busanga hydroelectric dam contributes to the promotion and modernization of regional industrial economic development. Busanga has directly fostered the rapid growth of trade, logistics and transport industries in Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries. It has also advanced the vitality of industrial economic development such as energy and mining.
“The plant will be commissioned as soon as possible. The energy deficit problem is a big problem for the State. Busanga will make a big contribution to the country’s economy and social welfare. We took 3,000 local workers during construction. of this plant “, explains Mr. Zhao, CEO of SYCOHIDRO.
This project contributes to the promotion of the increase of local jobs and to the training of operational skills.
An investment of USD 8 million has been put into operation for the execution of the road and bridge reconstruction projects. The new road built measures 59 Km, m. Road No. 39 is repaired over 27 km and is connected to the national road. This contributes to considerably improving the traffic conditions and the quality of life of local residents.
Other achievements of SYCOHIDRO
Some auxiliary works have been built such as the access road, the combined construction power line, the road on the left and right bank side, the sand and gravel production plant, the diversion gallery and the road bridge. reconstruction of the reservoir.
“We have improved the road to get to this plant. We are also building the road that leads to Dilolo. We have built a school and a health center for local communities. The Busanga plant is funded by the Chinese side. This is a great contribution to help the Congolese state, “added Mr. Zhao.
Note that after the launch of the Busanga dam in November, the SNEL current used by SICOMINES will be assigned to other mining companies hit by the energy deficit in the Katanga area. This will reduce this energy deficit.
Context of the project
In April 2008, the Congolese government and the group of Chinese companies mainly based on China Railway and Power China signed a “Collaboration agreement relating to the development of a mining project and an infrastructure project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. »Aiming to cooperate in the implementation of mining and infrastructure projects.
The lack of electricity supply was a major obstacle for the development of the SICOMINES mining project, which should guarantee the financing of the infrastructure project. Hence the absolute need to build said hydroelectric dam.
The Chinese Business Group, the Sino-Congolese Program Coordination and Monitoring Office (BCPSC) and the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic Resources (DRC) jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Construction of the Power Plant. Hydroelectric from Busanga to Kolwezi in Lualaba.
In July 2015, the experts formed by the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic Resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo examined the feasibility study report for the Busanga hydroelectric power plant and issued the document for its approval.
In February 2016, the Environmental Certificate was issued by the Congolese Environment Agency (ACE). In July 2016, the DRC, China Railway Resources Group Co., Ltd (CRR) and PowerChina Resources Limited (PCR) signed the Joint Venture Agreement relating to the construction and operation of the Busanga Hydroelectric Power Plant.
