(FORREST GROUP) - The Kinsuka hydropower project is one of the flagship energy infrastructures set to sustainably strengthen the electricity system of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Developed by the Kinsuka Power Joint Venture, the project aims to significantly increase national power generation capacity in response to the country’s growing economic and industrial needs.

Located on the Congo River at Kiudi Island in Kinshasa, the project harnesses a site with exceptional hydropower potential. The river’s natural configuration—marked by a series of rapids and a gradual drop of approximately 15 meters over nearly 10 kilometers—allows for the development of a run-of-river hydropower scheme, ensuring reliable, continuous electricity generation that is fully aligned with the requirements of the national grid.

A 900 MW Flagship Project

With an installed capacity of 900 MW and an estimated average annual production of 7,450 GWh, Kinsuka Power ranks among the most ambitious hydropower projects in the country. It aims to provide a concrete and long-term response to the DRC’s structural energy deficit, while contributing to the stability and security of the national electricity network.

Power generated by the plant will be transmitted through a dedicated infrastructure including:

• a high-voltage alternating current (AC) transmission line, directly supplying the city of Kinshasa;
• a high-voltage, direct current (DC) line enabling a substantial share of the electricity to be delivered to the southern regions of the country, particularly Kolwezi and its mining industries.

This configuration positions Kinsuka Power as a strategic driver of urban electrification, industrial development, mining capacity reinforcement, and overall economic competitiveness in the DRC.

A Long-Term Vision

The Kinsuka Power project is the result of a rigorous, long-term initiative led for several years by Yves Kabongo. His vision is clear: to develop a major energy infrastructure, meeting the highest international standards, dedicated exclusively to serving the national interest.

To bring this vision to life, the Forrest International Group—chaired by George Arthur Forrest and led by Malta David Forrest—has joined the project as a strategic partner. With more than a century of experience in the DRC, the Group contributes its industrial expertise and know-how through its energy subsidiary, Congo Energy—led by Spyros Giourgas—a key player in the project’s operational implementation.

Pre-feasibility studies were carried out by Tractebel, a leading international energy engineering firm. The feasibility studies have been validated by the relevant authorities, confirming the project’s technical, economic, and environmental viability. 

An Investment in the Future

Kinsuka Power represents an estimated investment of USD 2.8 billion, with a construction period of approximately five years following financial closing. Beyond its scale, the project will act as a powerful catalyst for development, generating significant economic benefits and creating direct and indirect employment, while enhancing the DRC’s attractiveness to investors.

A Secure Institutional Framework

The project benefits from the support of H.E. Aimé Sakombi Molendo, Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity, and is fully aligned with national energy development priorities.

The National Electricity Company (SNEL SA) is integrated into the project framework to ensure full consistency with the national power grid.

All required administrative, environmental, and regulatory authorizations have been obtained, ensuring that the project is developed within a secure, transparent legal framework and in compliance with applicable standards. 

About Kinsuka Power

Kinsuka Power is a Joint Venture between Great Lake Energy, a company founded by Congolese entrepreneur Yves Kabongo, and the Forrest International Group through its subsidiary Congo Energy. Its mission is to develop large-scale, sustainable and transformative energy infrastructures in support of the DRC’s economic development. 

About Great Lake Energy

Great Lake Energy is a Congolese company, specializing in the development of energy projects. It is committed to creating long-term value by actively engaging in the projects it develops and partnering with recognized experts across key technical and strategic fields. 

About Forrest International Group

Founded in 1922, Forrest International Group is a leading family-owned group in the DRC. Active in infrastructure, industry, energy, agribusiness, and healthcare, the Group has been supporting the country’s economic and social development for more than a century.

About Congo Energy

Founded in 2012 by Malta David Forrest, driven by the conviction that electricity is a fundamental lever of economic development in the DRC, Congo Energy has established itself as a key player in the energy sector. The company has notably made a major contribution to the FRIPT project and is active in public and private lighting, solar power plant construction, and the rehabilitation of hydropower facilities, including the G27 and G28 units at Inga II. This wide range of projects has given Congo Energy a unique level of expertise in the DRC. The company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certified.