DRC electricity supply crisis

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing a severe electricity crisis, particularly in Kinshasa, where the Société nationale d’électricité (SNEL) reports a significant gap between the required 1,200 megawatts and current supply levels. This deficit, driven by urban expansion, mining, and low water levels affecting hydroelectric production, has forced SNEL to implement rotating load shedding.

Initial responses to the shortage included exploring the leasing of Turkish power ships to provide approximately 134 megawatts of supplemental capacity. However, civil society groups, such as the Nouvelle société civile congolaise (NSCC), have called for greater transparency regarding such temporary measures and demanded improvements in service quality and long-term grid modernization.

As the crisis persists, proposals for large-scale structural reform have emerged. One proposed ‘Marshall Plan’ for SNEL suggests mobilizing up to $100 billion to modernize the national grid, rehabilitate infrastructure, and develop the Grand Inga project, while also considering floating power plants as a means to provide immediate relief to the capital. Recent technical assessments highlight that during seasonal reductions, availability in Kinshasa can drop to approximately 450 MW, exacerbating disruptions for businesses and households.