The Inga 3 project is far from being a priority for the DRC, say three civil society structures

Three structures of the company operating in the energy sector have estimated that the Inga 3 project is far from being a priority for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a report titled “Inga 3: Too High a Price – A Study of the Socio-Economic Costs of the Inga 3 Dam for South Africa”, the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations engaged in monitoring reforms and public action (CORAP), lnternational Rivers & Women and Solidarity Woman (FESO).

Indeed, this report is based on studies conducted by financial experts from the British company TMP Systems. Company that provided the first official accounting of the real costs for South Africa of importing energy from the Inga 3 dam hydroelectric project in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to the three structures mentioned above, the conclusions of these studies are frightening but clear.

For this consortium of civil society, “the exploitation of hydroelectric energy from Inga 3 would be too expensive and would constitute a real disaster for South Africa  “.

The study shows that the cost of importing Inga’s power would be three times the current cost of power generation in South Africa and would cost over R10 billion per year compared to readily available alternatives .

“This additional burden would likely fall on the shoulders of ordinary South Africans, especially women, due to increased tariffs and taxpayer subsidies to ESKOM  ,” the report notes.

To this effect, the Africa Director at International Rivers, Mrs. Siziwe Mota, said that “  South Africa must withdraw from the treaty with the DRC and embrace the abundant local solar and wind resources, for the benefit of all the south -Africans ”.

According to the same results, the Inga project would create virtually no new jobs, while comparable investments in solar and wind energy would create 9,096 jobs for South Africans.

“ The report also warns of energy insecurity in South Africa’s future if authorities do not act quickly to identify and invest in realistic and cost -effective energy solutions,” she said.

In the Congolese context, they believe that Inga 3 would do nothing to reduce energy poverty, because the energy would be exported or used by industry, and not to provide the electricity that citizens need.

For CORAP Coordinator, Emmanuel Musuyu, the Inga 3 project is a bad idea for both countries.

“ The Inga 3 project is a bad idea for both countries because of its impacts. The DRC must invest in clean and sustainable energies such as the abundant solar and small-scale hydroelectric potential available to the country” , he underlined.

For her part, the Coordinator of Femme Solidaire, Madame Mignonne Mbombo, indicated that “  the Inga 3 reservoir also threatens to displace around 40,000 people, the majority of whom would lose both their land and their means of subsistence ”.

“This project would have many more negative impacts than positive  ,” she insisted.

Faced with all these grievances, the International Rivers & Women structure urges the Parliamentary Committees of South Africa to request the immediate withdrawal of South Africa’s support for Inga 3.

In the DRC, many NGOs are working tirelessly to oppose the Inga 3 project and present alternative renewable energy solutions.