DR Congo gov't says development of energy sector is crucial

Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) government said on Monday that the development of the energy sector through the completion of Inga 3 hydroelectric power project was crucial for achievement of sustainable growth that will help to reduce poverty in the country.

In DR Congo, poverty is seen through the low distribution of electricity, with the country ranked lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa as only 9 percent of households have access to electricity.

Grand Inga project is one of the six dams that will be constructed in several phases on river Congo, with the ambition of achieving a combined production of 44,000 megawatts.

Inga 3 constitutes the first phase of the construction of Grand Inga project and once it is completed, it will generate 4,800 megawatts.

In 2011, the project cost was estimated to be 8.5 billion U.S. dollars. However, the total funding, including inflation and financing fees are currently evaluated to be 14 billion dollars. Enditem