Kinshasa, April 4th, 2025 (CPA)- The city of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is supplied with electricity by a quota of between 550 and 630 megawatts from the Inga, Zongo and Sanga hydroelectric power stations, the National Electricity Company (SNEL) informed CPA on Thursday. “The city of Kinshasa is supplied by an imposed quota of between 550 and 630 megawatts, but the need is beyond, or even triple, what we receive. This inadequacy is exacerbated by rapid demographic growth. With a population of almost 20 million, it’s imperative to increase production capacity,” said Denis Tukuzu, Director of the Kinshasa Distribution Department, during a broadcast on a local radio station. According to Denis Tukuzu, the fundamental problem lies in an electricity chain made up of three segments: generation, transmission and distribution, since Kinshasa, supplied mainly by the Inga, Zongo and Sanga power plants, receives only a fraction of total production. What’s more, “Congo has not invested in the production of new infrastructure for over 25 years”, he lamented. He pointed out that the DRC faces colossal challenges in the electricity sector, including load shedding, aging infrastructure and growing demand. Criticism from civil society and citizens is multiplying, but Snel is deploying strategies to meet the expectations of its subscribers.
He also highlighted the impact of the obsolescence of electricity networks inherited from the colonial era, which were adapted to a time when demand was much lower. Faced with these challenges, Snel is working to modernize its infrastructures.
Smart metering also a priority
Mr. Denis Tukuzu revealed that a batch of 46,000 meters has been received by his jurisdiction, which plans to connect 2 million households throughout the country. This will enable subscribers to manage their own consumption and reduce losses. For the city of Kisangani, in the province of Tshopo (north-east of the country), the solution lies in the construction of new power plants, such as Tshopo 2 and Wanyalukula, to compensate for limited production capacity. As for Lubumbashi, in the province of Haut-Katanga (south-east of the country), Director Tukuzu revealed: “As far as connections to new districts are concerned, these can be finalized within 15 days of payment of the file opening fee. We have launched the “SNEL & Ii” and “SNEL n’a Tshombo” programs to reduce losses and maximize our revenues. Despite the many challenges, Snel is demonstrating its determination to improve access to electricity in the DRC. Denis Tukuzu calls on the population to understand the current constraints, while supporting the efforts undertaken: “We must work together, with patience and solidarity, to build an energy system that meets our nation’s needs”. ACP/