DRC Advances 650 MW Solar Development Pipeline with French Partner
DRC and ITRA Group Plan $900 Million Investment in 650 MW Solar Projects
The Democratic Republic of Congo is advancing plans to develop a 650 MW pipeline of solar power projects under a new partnership between the National Agency for Electrification and Energy Services in Rural and Peri-Urban Areas (ANSER) and French energy company ITRA Group.
The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding on 1 September 2026 to identify, prepare and develop solar projects across several cities and industrial centres in the DRC.
According to ANSER, the partnership is expected to help mobilise approximately $900 million for the proposed projects, which could collectively create around 5,000 direct jobs.
Projects planned across key economic centres
The proposed solar developments are expected to target areas with significant electricity demand.
In Mbuji-Mayi, Kasaï-Oriental Province, the partners are considering a project with a capacity of between 50 MW and 100 MW.
In Haut-Katanga, Lubumbashi and Likasi have each been identified for potential 100 MW solar projects.
Two larger projects are also being considered in Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, with proposed capacities of 250 MW and 300 MW.
If all the projects proceed at their proposed capacities, the combined pipeline would reach approximately 650 MW.
Partnership enters development phase
The memorandum provides a framework for ANSER and ITRA to identify suitable sites, undertake project preparation and structure the developments before potential implementation.
ITRA Group, based in France, operates across several energy-related segments, including solar photovoltaic systems, electrical installations, electric-vehicle charging infrastructure, air conditioning and heat pumps.
The projects remain at an early development stage, however, and their eventual construction will depend on site assessments, technical studies, financial structuring and the mobilisation of the required investment.
Supporting the DRC’s electricity needs
The proposed solar pipeline comes as the DRC seeks to expand electricity access and diversify its power generation mix.
Additional solar capacity could help strengthen electricity supply in major urban and industrial centres, including areas that are experiencing rising demand from households, businesses and mining operations.
For the DRC, the development of new renewable-energy projects is also an opportunity to reduce pressure on existing electricity infrastructure while expanding access to reliable power.
The ANSER-ITRA agreement therefore represents an initial step towards a potentially significant expansion of solar generation, with the next phase focused on confirming project sites, completing technical and financial assessments and securing investment for construction.
