Electricity: Presentation of service stabilization plans in various cities

Kinshasa, April 24^th, 2025 (CPA).- The Société nationale d’électricité (Snel) has presented a plan to stabilize and improve electricity supply in the country’s various towns and urban centers, the Congolese public operator told CPA on Wednesday. “Snel is committed to laying solid foundations for the modernization and stabilization of electric power supply in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with initiatives marking a major turning point in its equipment management and distribution network”, said the source, adding that as part of the continuity of its efforts, Snel will proceed, on Thursday April 24, 2025, to the signing of a historic contract for the renovation of the Kinshasa distribution network. This large-scale project aims to sustainably transform access to electrical energy in five municipalities of the Congolese capital, namely: Barumbu, Gombe, Kasa Vubu, Kinshasa and Lingwala. Among the key objectives announced by the Congolese public electricity operator are: 1,175 new public lighting fixtures to illuminate the communes concerned, the introduction of digitalization (25,000 customers equipped with the innovative SNELBOX solution), putting an end to flat-rate billing, 264 electrical cabins in total with 64 new discharge cabins and the renovation of 204 existing cabins, reducing the risk of overloading.   Similarly, the network has been modernized and optimized, with the renovation of 2 high-voltage substations and 4 substations, the construction of 2 strategic loops (Sendwe-Ndolo-CDA and Lingwala-VDP-Sendwe), which has led to the elimination of 3 antenna substations, and the construction of 6 new 30,000-volt medium-voltage feeders.   On Tuesday April 22^nd, Snel took delivery of a strategic stock of 59 transformers and 5 rectifier cabinets at its central warehouse in Limete (MCL). The equipment received includes transformers of various capacities, ranging from 630 kVA to 15 MVA, as well as current transformers (CTs) to reinforce the existing network. These acquisitions, notes the company, testify to an ambitious policy of replenishing spare parts and insurance stocks, essential to guaranteeing continuity of service and anticipating future needs, given that the year 2025 is defined as the “Year of Accountability”. These initiatives are part of a strategic vision to modernize electrical infrastructures, ensure reliable service and meet the growing needs of urban centers.  Snel has thus demonstrated its commitment to supporting the economic and social development of the Democratic Republic of Congo. ACP/