The Kinsuka hydroelectric power plant project, developed by the Kinsuka Power joint venture between Great Lakes Energy, owned by entrepreneur Yves Kabongo, and Forrest Group subsidiary Congo Énergie, has secured all required regulatory approvals for electricity generation. The announcement was made by Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity Aimé Molendo Sakombi during a briefing at the Council of Ministers meeting on February 6, 2026.

The minister, however, called for government backing to facilitate the final steps needed to move the project into construction, without elaborating. These may include site preparation, financial close, or tax exemptions for the import of machinery and equipment. Total investment in the project is estimated at around $2.8 billion, with construction expected to take five years.

The project involves the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on Kwidi Island in Kongo Central province. Feasibility studies conducted by Tractebel and validated in 2018 provide for the installation of 12 turbines, each with a capacity of 75 MW, for total installed capacity of 900 MW and average annual output estimated at 7,450 GWh.

Of the electricity generated, around 600 MW is expected to be supplied to mining companies via new high-voltage transmission lines to be developed by Great Lakes Energy, while the remaining 300 MW will be allocated to supply Kinshasa.

According to the minister, the project is intended to address several of the country’s structural challenges. It aims to reduce Kinshasa’s chronic power deficit by improving electricity availability and reliability for households, public services, and economic activity, strengthen national energy security by expanding generation capacity from a renewable and competitive source, and support the objectives of the DRC Energy Compact by accelerating electricity access and economic growth.

Ronsard Luabeya