Kinshasa, July 23rd, 2025 (CPA). -An assessment of the functioning of the electricity network, from production to distribution, has been initiated by a parliamentary delegation and the National Electricity Company (SNEL) in the provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba, in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), CPA has learned on Wednesday from an administrative source. « Our aim is to collect data on the realities on the ground concerning the production, transmission and distribution of electricity in the region. This work will enable us to formulate recommendations tailored to the reality of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba, » has declared d Caroline Bemba, Chair of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Land Use Planning, Infrastructure and New Information and Communication Technologies (ATIC).
According to the source, in Lubumbashi, the main city of the province of Haut-Katanga, the parliamentarians were received by Martin Kazembe Shula, the Deputy Governor. ‘We welcome this initiative by the MPs. The provincial government remains willing to support this mission in the search for solutions that will benefit our people and economic partners,’ has expressed Martin Kazembe. The delegation then held a meeting with SNEL technical staff at the Southern Regional Directorate on the impact of hydraulic works carried out on the Lufira and Lualaba rivers, which affect the performance of local hydroelectric power stations.
The delegation has also visited electrical installations in the city of Lubumbashi. According to MP Serge Khonde, a member of the ATIC committee, the mission aims to identify the causes of power cuts and guide budgetary decisions for the September parliamentary session. ‘This mission will enable us to properly guide our actions during the September budget session, particularly with regard to the needs expressed by Snel. We need to assess all the problems that Snel is experiencing in terms of electricity production. We will also visit the hydroelectric dams to identify the real causes of the recurring power cuts.’ In Kolwezi, the main city of the province of Lualaba, parliamentarians have examined the Inga-Kolwezi HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) line, designed to carry 560 MW and currently being upgraded to 1120 MW. For his part, Henri Makap a Muteb, director of the Snel production department, has indicated that technical operations had temporarily reduced capacity to 300 MW. The new work aims to resolve overheating issues and stabilise transit at 580 MW. The source has indicated that the data collected should feed into legislative advocacy in favour of support for Snel.