Questions raised about the Grand Inga hydropower project in Africa

12 November 2018 7:38 AM

The Grand Inga is the world’s largest proposed hydropower scheme to develop a continent-wide power system on the Congo River.

The mammoth hydroelectric project has been in the works for more than a decade and could power the whole of Southern Africa.

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And South Africa is its key partner, having signed the Grand Inga Hydropower Project Treaty, which commits South Africa to buy 2 500 megawatts of electricity if the Inga 3 Dam actually gets up and running.

But how badly does South Africa need the project?

There are questions being raised around protecting the rivers and the rights of communities living alongside that river.

Campaign coordinator of the International Rivers, Ange Asanzi says there are so many problems and issues with the Grand Inga Project.

First of all the Grand Inga will be built in different stages and the first phase of the project will the Inga 3 Dam which is supposed to produce around 11 000 megawatts.
— Ange Asanzi, Campaign coordinator of the International Rivers

The main issues are that there are issues with governance in the country and that will affect the project.
— Ange Asanzi, Campaign coordinator of the International Rivers

Listen below to the full interview:

Written by: Matshepo Sehloho