Navigating Rising Power Demand and Shifting Regional Market Dynamics
In recent years, citizens of the Republic of Congo (RoC) have faced an unprecedented power crisis that has had a terrible impact on the entire economy, affecting businesses and residents and ultimately creating significant uncertainty around energy security. Even though the country is said to have made significant investments in power infrastructure through public and private sector partnerships, the quality of electricity service has significantly deteriorated, raising legitimate questions about the effectiveness of these investments.
According to one senior government official, the ongoing crisis, which was at its peak in 2023, can be attributed to rapid urbanization of Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, delays in the construction of other power plants, deterioration of the grid—especially the interconnection with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) grid, where even minor disturbances in one country can trigger widespread disruptions in both—and gas supply issues at the country’s main power plant, which accounts for 72% of electricity production.
RoC has long relied on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, as the backbone of its electricity generation sector. Hydropower, on the other hand, is said to account for over 25% of energy generation capacity. Notwithstanding, the national electricity access rate stands at 50.6%, with a stark urban–rural divide (12.4% rural access). As the global energy landscape shifts toward alternative sources of power generation to ensure a dual path to sustainability, RoC has a unique opportunity to harness its abundant resources by integrating alternative energy solutions, including small hydropower, solar, biomass, and biogas projects.
The Current Energy Landscape and the Role of Renewable Sources in the Republic of Congo
The Republic of Congo, with a population of 5.7 million, is rich in natural resources, including significant hydropower potential estimated at 2.5 GW, of which less than 5% is currently exploited. RoC has made progress in the energy sector, increasing its installed capacity from 325 MW in 2017 to 410 MW in 2019.
As of mid-2024, RoC’s key generation sites include the Imboulou dam (85 MW), the Moukoukoulou dam (74 MW), the Ndjeno power station (25 MW), and the Centrale Electrique du Congo (CEC) gas turbine power plant, which has a capacity of 484 MW and is located in Kouilou. However, the last major infrastructure investment occurred before 2014.
The Adoption of Renewables as an Alternative Energy Source
Rather than viewing fossil fuels and renewables as opposing forces, the Republic of Congo is integrating them to create a more resilient and sustainable energy system. The current strategy seeks to open the market for the private sector to develop small hydropower, solar, biogas, and biomass projects, providing a pathway to cleaner energy without compromising reliability. So far, notable renewable energy projects include:
- Tinda Energy’s 65 MW renewable energy initiative in the Ignié Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which will generate 55 MW from a hybrid solar plant and 10 MW from a biomass facility, covering a 100-hectare site.
- Blue Energies Congo’s gasification project, aimed at reducing diesel dependence, particularly in forest exploitation where foresters currently use diesel generators, accounting for 5% of national fuel consumption.
- Eni’s integrated energy project in the Republic of Congo, which aims to bring electricity to 33 community facilities, including 11 health centers and 22 drinking water wells, powered by solar panels.
- UAE renewable energy company AMEA Power’s project to develop a 100 MW solar photovoltaic project, the first large-scale solar initiative in the country.
Other interesting projects and initiatives include:
- Potam@i Hydrolienne Project: a turbine installed on the riverbanks of the Congo River producing 10 kW of electricity continuously, paired with a solar-powered Essential Service Unit serving around 3,000 people across three villages.
- The country’s first renewable energy research center, inaugurated in Oyo in 2023, focused on applied research into hydropower, biomass, wind, and solar energy, developed with Eni and the UN Industrial Development Organization.
- Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, aiming to strengthen renewable energy investment via the Italian export credit agency and the Italian Climate Fund.
- The World Bank’s $100 million Strengthening Electricity Services (PASEL) program, approved June 26, 2024.
- EU support since 2022 for renewable energy and rural electrification, including a technical assistance mission covering biomass and clean cooking initiatives.
Key Recommendations for Improving Renewable Integration
- Establish clear and efficient frameworks for developing energy from alternative sources. The Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic Resources (MEHR) must collaborate with the Electricity Sector Regulator, the Rural Electrification Agency, and other stakeholders to modernize regulations, including taxation, customs, and third-party grid access.
- Strengthen good governance: transparent regulatory frameworks, financial models and tariffs that attract private investment, enhanced institutional capacity, equitable resource distribution, and environmental protection.
- Invest in capacity building for government staff, so regulatory frameworks can be effectively enforced and renewable energy projects properly implemented and overseen.
Conclusion
The Republic of Congo’s dual path to sustainability, leveraging both fossil fuels and renewables, presents a promising model for bolstering energy security while advancing towards a sustainable future. Policymakers must continue to refine legal and institutional frameworks, private sector stakeholders should be encouraged to invest in innovative energy solutions, and development partners must provide technical assistance, financial support, and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the sector.
Developers evaluating solar, small hydro, or mini-grid projects in RoC can score their own readiness with our Bankability Scorecard, available in the resource library.
