WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

currently working on feasibility studies to increase the
electricity access in rural areas by the use of microand
mini-hydropower stations. 5 The Republic of Congo
with the capital Brazzaville mainly uses hydro plants to
generate more than 90 per cent of the national
production – only four per cent of its technically
feasible hydropower potential. The Republic of Congo
has the Grand Inga series of hydropower projects on
the Congo River at the Inga Falls, and if completed,
they could be the largest in the world. In addition, ten
potential small hydropower schemes have been
identified in the Republic of Congo with proposed
capacities ranging from 5-10 MW. 2 In May 2011, a
memorandum of cooperation concerning the
reconstruction of an urban power grid and small
hydropower projects was signed between the Ministry
of Energy and Hydraulics of the Republic of Congo and
China, this provides a positive outlook for the future
of small hydropower in the Republic of Congo. 9
The engagement of small hydropower development in
the sub-region is principally due to favourable
government policies: such are the cases in Cameroon,
Democratic Republic of Congo (where focus is on large
hydro) and Angola. Lack of small hydropower
development in Chad, São Tomé and Príncipe is
caused by the limited availability of hydropower
potential, while in places like Gabon and Equatorial
Guinea, it is due to lack of appropriate government
policy.
References
1. International Energy Agency (2011). World Energy
Outlook. Electricity Access in Africa.
2. International Journal on Hydropower and Dams
(2011). World Atlas and Industry Guide 2011. UK:
Aquamedia International.
3. Aderito Figuera, Ministry of Energy and Water,
Sigma Group (February 2011). Energy Market in
Angola. Email to Lara Esser of International Center on
Small Hydro Power. 14 March 2012.
4. International Renewable Energy Agency (2011).
Renewable Energy Profiles: Africa. International
Renewable Energy. Abu Dhabi.
5. Clean Energy Portal - Reegle (2011). Country
Profiles: Gabon. Available from www.reegle.info/
6. African Development Bank (2011). Middle Africa
Regional Integration Strategy Paper 2011-2015.
Available from
www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/P
olicy-Documents/RISP%20CENTRAL%20AFRICA-
ECCAS%20English%20FINAL.pdf.
7. World Energy Council (2007). Africa Region Report:
Energy Policy Scenarios to 2050 Study. Available from
www.worldenergy.org/documents/scenariosafrica.pdf
8. Hangzhou Regional Centre for Small Hydropower
(2011). Seize the Opportunity to Carry out
Cooperation in Africa. Available from
www.hrcshp.org/en/new/2011/201105241.html.
Table 2
Small hydropower up to 10 MW in Middle Africa
(Megawatts)
Country Potential Installed capacity
Angola at least 134.0 10.0
Cameroon at least 22.0 0.0
CAR at least 41.1 34.2
DRC at least 100.9 25.6
São Tomé and
at least 30.0 6.0
Príncipe
Total 328.0 75.8
Sources: See country reports
After a decade of small hydropower introduction to
Central Africa, most governments have included small
hydropower into their energy plans. More than half of
the governments have started to search for funding
for studies and implementation. A few small
hydropower schemes are under execution in a couple
of countries. With the rise in fossil fuel costs, the
global clamour for renewable energies and the
availability of international funding, most countries
with small hydropower potential are attempting to
develop it. The engagement in small hydropower
development in Central Africa is increasing and will
soon become a major component of energy resources
in the medium- and long-term.
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