Congolese Civil Society Criticizes Inconsistent Electrification Policy in Open Letter to President Tshisekedi
Concerned about the lack of vision and repeated trial-and-error approaches to the electrification policy in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Congolese civil society has voiced its apprehensions.
United within the Wakisha collective, 18 member organizations sent an open letter to President Félix Tshisekedi following the signing of a new agreement on the Inga 3 project.
The Wakisha collective expressed serious concerns about the new memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Inga 3 dam, a mega project aimed at building a new dam with a minimum capacity of around 7,000 megawatts.
The Agency for the Development and Promotion of the Grand Inga Project (ADPI-RDC) has entrusted this ambitious project to Natural Oilfield Services (NOFLS), a Nigerian oil and gas company.
However, the collective questioned NOFLS’s capability to execute such a project, citing a lack of experience in hydroelectric plant construction.
“Based on preliminary research, it seems that the company lacks experience in the construction of hydroelectric plants,” Wakisha stated.
They criticized President Tshisekedi’s vision for the energy sector as “inconsistent” and marred by numerous trials and errors in efforts to increase electricity access and support the DRC’s economic development.
Over the past six years, at least four major MoUs have been signed between the DRC and various companies for the development of energy infrastructure at Inga 3.
These projects were intended to address the country’s persistent energy deficit despite its significant energy potential.
However, Wakisha noted that these initiatives often lack technical assessment and fail to deliver tangible results.
“The MoU with Natural Oilfield Services risks becoming another addition to a long list of unfulfilled projects, such as those with WESTCOR, BHP Billiton, AECOM, and EDF,” the collective warned. They urged the country’s institutions to cease publicizing MoUs that lack follow-through and impact.
Wakisha called for the creation of an integrated plan to develop the DRC’s energy resources. They recommended that the Congolese government formulate clear and stable energy policies to encourage investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies while ensuring fair energy pricing.
In light of the failures observed in the implementation of the Inga 3 projects, Wakisha urged the government to diversify the energy mix and capitalize on renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biomass.
This approach would guarantee a stable energy supply and develop a more sustainable, resilient energy system adapted to future challenges.
The Wakisha collective’s open letter underscores the urgent need for a coherent and effective energy policy in the DRC, highlighting the potential of renewable energy to transform the country’s energy landscape.
