The Congo River has the largest water masses of all African rivers. It also has the potential to produce renewable energy for millions of people. Up to now, however, there has not been enough money to create vast amounts of electricity from hydroelectric power.
Recently South Africa has signed a deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo in which it agrees to buy large amounts of electricity from the African country’s water power stations.
The Grand Inga, when completed, will create more power than the Three Gorges Dam in China. The hydroelectric power station will be built in a valley about 50 km from the mouth of the Congo River. Up to 6 separate power stations will produce over 40,000 megawatts of electricity.
The project will also get money from the World Bank and other development banks around the world. South Africa, the continent’s largest industrial country, is also expected to pour billions into the project. Nigeria and Egypt have already announced that they are willing to buy energy from the new dams.
The first generator is scheduled to produce electricity as soon as 2020, a time when much of Africa will be in desperate need of power