• Virunga Energies increases power capacity to 42 MW with new turbine.
• The company serves over 35,000 customers across North Kivu.
• Rwanguba project plays key role in reducing energy shortages in Goma.

Virunga Energies has ramped up electricity production in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, despite ongoing insecurity in the region. The company, owned by Virunga National Park, has launched the first turbine of its Rwanguba hydroelectric plant, adding 13 megawatts (MW) to its grid.

This upgrade brings the company’s total output to 42 MW. Virunga Energies aims to hit 100 MW by 2040. Rwanguba now joins three other plants in the network: Mutwanga (1.4 MW), Matebe (13.1 MW), and Luviro (14.6 MW), each located in different parts of the province.

Virunga Energies has become North Kivu’s largest power producer and distributor. It currently supplies electricity to more than 35,000 customers, including 2,000 businesses.

According to the company’s 2023 annual report, the full Rwanguba project — combining turbines Rwanguba 1 and 2 — will generate up to 26 MW when completed. While the report did not specify the commissioning date for Rwanguba 1, it projected completion between late 2024 and early 2025.

A source inside the company confirmed that engineers accelerated the turbine launch to address severe power shortages in Goma. During the dry season, low water levels in the Rutshuru River disrupted operations at the Matebe plant, prompting the urgent activation of Rwanguba. The new turbine has helped stabilize electricity supply across the city.

In 2023, electricity sales brought in $10.7 million in revenue. Part of the power generated supports cryptocurrency mining, the report noted.

Virunga Energies has not disclosed the total cost of the Rwanguba 1 and 2 project. However, the European Union injected €20 million into the project in June 2016 to support its development.

The Rwanguba site suffered a major security incident on August 16, 2022. Heavy artillery, allegedly fired by M23 forces positioned less than 5 km away, hit the facility. Two shells struck the site, causing severe material damage. No workers were killed, thanks to a rapid evacuation. But civilian casualties were reported in surrounding villages.

In a recent move to strengthen regional cooperation, Virunga Energies struck a deal with Énergies du Nord-Kivu (ENK), which holds exclusive rights to distribute power in Beni and Butembo. Following talks with North Kivu’s military governor, General Evariste Kakule Somo, both companies agreed to pool their resources.

The agreement will allow Virunga Energies to use ENK’s infrastructure to distribute electricity in Beni and Butembo — two of North Kivu’s largest cities.

This article was initially published in French by Timothée Manoke, Intern

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum