Inga Hydroelectric Development, DRC

The development of the Inga site, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), represents an opportunity for the entire planet, said the panelists at a seminar held on 7 June 2011, entitled "The Inga hydroelectric development project", at the 2011 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The seminar, entitled Green Growth: an African Perspective, focused on two subjects: green growth and the Inga project.

The Inga Project, beneficial to Africa, economically and environmentally

Economically, the development of such a large-scale clean energy project involves performing a large volume of studies and work, which will run according to best practices, said the authors of a Franco-Canadian consortium performing a study on the development of the site.

The use of hydropower resource, a renewable and low cost energy option, could allow the DRC to ensure self-sufficiency in energy supply. The country enjoys an immense hydroelectric potential: it is estimated at more than 100,000 MW, of which about 45% for the Inga site and 2% (351 MW at Inga I and Inga II 1,424 MW) has been tapped to this day.

The Inga site could even provide clean and reliable energy to the whole continent through interconnections, said a panelist.

The development of the Inga site has many benefits. Hydropower is a clean energy and can replace more costly and polluting forms of energy.

Such a substitution would consolidate Africa's position as the lowest emitter of greenhouse gases.

The AfDB is firmly committed to infrastructure development in Africa, and intends to support the Congolese Government in the many challenges posed by the development of this highly strategic project. But this project needs clever and creative solutions", insisted AfDB Vice-President, Bobby Pittman.