Congo, Republic of the - Country Commercial Guide
Republic of Congo - Energy Production and Distribution
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Overview

The Republic of Congo’s energy sector is ripe for investment.  The absence of reliable power grids and adequate electrical distribution has a dampening effect on investment and development, as potential investors typically provide their own power generation to operate effectively.  Electricity production cannot keep up with demand, and the distribution system suffers from old, failing infrastructure.   However, the government’s policy of strictly controlling energy prices has until now discouraged investment.

 

2017

2018

2019

2020 estimated

Total Local Production

510

510

650

665

Total Exports

100

100

100

100

Total Imports

125

125

125

150

Imports from the US

0

0

0

0

Total Market Size

535

535

675

715

Exchange Rates

589

586

556

545

Unit: Megawatts (MW).

Total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports

Data sources: Republic of Congo Ministry of Economy, World Bank

Leading Sub-Sectors

Infrastructure projects, technical assistance and national grid or distribution network upgrades are leading sub-sectors with investment potential.

Opportunities

The Ministry of Energy and the national electric company (Société Nationale d’ Electricité, SNE) are eager to find partners to work with them to improve services in the energy sector.

Power Africa: Launched in 2013, Power Africa is a market-driven, U.S. Government-led public-private partnership to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa.  It also serves as a one-stop shop for private sector entities seeking tools and resources to facilitate doing business in Africa’s power sector.  In 2016, the Electrify Africa Act unanimously passed both houses of Congress and was signed into law, institutionalizing Power Africa and establishing two goals: to add 20,000 MW of generation capacity, and expand electricity access to 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020.  In bringing together more than 140 of the world’s top companies, development institutions, and financial entities, Power Africa employs a transaction-centered approach to directly address key constraints to project development and investment in the power sector.  These interventions aim to de-risk investments and accelerate financial close — from facilitating project bankability with financing and risk mitigation, to providing technical and transaction support, and engaging with host-government counterparts.  Learn more about the full Power Africa toolbox or other opportunities offered by Power Africa.