Hanergy bags 400 MW solar project in DR Congo

Hanergy Thin Film Power Group, has announced that it has secured a strategic order for setting up the 400 megawatt (MW) solar photo-voltaic power plants in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country’s first and the largest solar power plant project, so far. The cooperation is intended to gradually reduce the energy scarcity faced by the mining industry in the provinces of Katanga, Lualaba, Kasaï-Oriental, Kasaï-Central, Kivu and Sankuru, where the two parties will set up SPV plants with a cumulative capacity of 400 MW upon signing of the formal contract. The execution of the co-operation will begin in December this year.

José Maboya Nzalingo, General Secretary of Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic Resources said, Our strategic partnership with the global clean energy giant, Hanergy is a step ahead towards meeting DRC’s original target of 65 per cent electrification by 2025, letting alone the new Sustainable Development Goals of universal electricity access by 2030. By dint of joining forces with Hanergy to set up the country’s first and the largest solar power station project, we’re confident of providing sustainable and stable energy supply in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The initial strategic partnership framework agreement suggests that energy generated in the first stage is estimated to be 20MW, benefiting over 100,000 people. With the total capacity of 400MW, the multiple power stations are expected to solve the problem of energy inadequacy of DR Congo. The project is also aimed at generating around 10,000 jobs and providing education to create 100 technology specialists.