Renewables
Congo launches industrial energy supply study
The Republic of the Congo has initiated an official study to evaluate power supply solutions and pricing for special economic zones and industrial facilities.
Key points
- The study assesses four energy supply approaches including solar storage, biomass, grid connections and hybrid systems.
- Industrial operators in the country face high diesel generation costs and supply disruptions.
- The initiative aims to establish fair pricing benchmarks and attract public and private investment.
What happened
The Republic of the Congo has initiated a comprehensive study to examine electricity supply requirements for its special economic zones (SEZs) and industrial facilities, pv magazine reported. Launched by Michel Djombo, Minister of Industrial Development, SEZs and Private Sector Promotion, the initiative responds to rising electricity demand and supply constraints that have forced some companies to suspend production lines.
The project operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics and is implemented by the National Agency for Rural Electrification, with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme. According to pv magazine, the assessment will compare four distinct power supply approaches: solar paired with battery storage, biomass and cogeneration utilizing agricultural and forestry residues, national grid connections where available, and hybrid energy systems.
Minister Djombo raised concerns regarding current market pricing, noting that solar offers ranging between XAF 130 and XAF 150 per kilowatt-hour appear opportunistic, while diesel generation during grid outages can push costs up to nearly XAF 200 per kilowatt-hour. The study intends to establish reliable pricing benchmarks and evaluate commercial arrangements such as direct business financing, equipment purchase services, and independent power producers to identify bankable projects.
Data from the Africa Solar Industry Association indicates that the Republic of the Congo has 35.6 megawatts of operational solar capacity, with 27 megawatts categorized as unidentified commercial and industrial projects.
Why it matters
Reliable and affordable electricity remains a fundamental prerequisite for industrial growth and economic diversification across Central Africa. World Bank figures for 2024 show that electricity access in the Republic of the Congo stands at 53 percent of the population, with per capita electricity consumption at 271 kilowatt-hours, well below global averages. Furthermore, fuel exports accounted for 85.9 percent of the country's merchandise exports in 2023, underscoring the vulnerability of the economy to commodity price fluctuations.
For energy investors and policymakers, addressing industrial energy deficits through structured frameworks and diversified renewable sources offers a pathway to lower operational expenditures and secure long-term productivity. Establishing clear tariff benchmarks and bankable project pipelines will be essential to overcoming industrial hesitation and mobilizing private capital into the Congolese energy market.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
31.7% of electricity in Congo was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
