Hanergy Thin Film Power Group, recently announced that it has secured a strategic order for setting up the 400 Megawatt (MW) solar photo-voltaic power plants in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country’s first and the largest solar power plant project, so far.
Building synergies to provide sustainable and stable energy
supply in the DR Congo, the clean energy giant and the Ministry of Energy and
Hydraulic Resources of Democratic Republic of Congo, on May 29 signed a
strategic partnership framework agreement for 400MW solar power plants.
Under the agreement, the two parties along with the National Power Company of
DR Congo will follow “EPC+F” financing model to make joint efforts
through project cooperation and technical exchange to consolidate and increase
cooperation in the fields of electricity, water, renewable energy and fuel.
The cooperation is intended to gradually reduce the energy scarcity faced by
the mining industry in the provinces of Katanga, Lualaba, Kasaï-Oriental,
Kasaï-Central, Kivu and Sankuru, where the two parties will set up SPV plants
with a cumulative capacity of 400 MW upon signing of the formal contract. The
execution of the co-operation will begin in December this year.
José Maboya Nzalingo, General Secretary of Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic
Resources said, “Our strategic partnership with the global clean
energy giant, Hanergy is a step ahead towards meeting DRC’s original target of
65% electrification by 2025, letting alone the new Sustainable Development
Goals of universal electricity access by 2030. By dint of joining forces with
Hanergy to set up the country’s first and the largest solar power station
project, we’re confident of providing sustainable and stable energy supply in
the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
The initial strategic partnership framework agreement suggests that energy
generated in the first stage is estimated to be 20MW, benefiting over 100,000
people. With the total capacity of 400MW, the multiple power stations are
expected to solve the problem of energy inadequacy of DR Congo. The project is
also aimed at generating around 10,000 jobs and providing education to create
100 technology specialists.
Guo Bin, CEO of Hanergy Uganda Company said, “We recognise the
potential of renewable energy in Congolese market and have set out an organized
and specific road map to accelerate our expansion plan in the country while
supporting the unruly need of sustainable and stable energy supply in the
country. The present 400 MW solar power station Project is primarily aimed at
meeting the on-peak demand of nearby mining companies and reduce local diesel
consumption, while reducing carbon emissions substantially.”
Even though, the DRC is endowed with large mineral resources, its national
electrification access rate was just 9% as per 2013 data, instigating major
hindrance in the country’s economic development. Despite, having abundant
hydraulic and solar resources, the electricity infrastructure in the DRC is
very poor with obsolete technologies for energy generation and transmission.
The Congolese government is constantly working with global companies in these
areas to increase electricity coverage, boost economy and support the
development of the mining industry.
Since 2009, Hanergy is painstakingly working to integrate worldwide solar
technologies, and making robust investment for the research and innovation in
field of thin-film solar power. The company’s solar cells set the world record
for conversion efficiency several times, with the newest one being 29.1%. It
launched and upgraded a handful of consumer products at CES Asia 2019,
including Humbrella, the solar-powered parasol; HanPack, the solar backpack;
HanPower, a portable solar power-bank product, retaining its leading position
in the mobile energy sector.