A new milestone has been achieved for the implementation of the Essor project in the DRC following the obtainment of a notification from the provisional auction for the design, development, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of three solar mini-grids in the towns of Gemena, Bumba and Isiro.

The notification was obtained by the consortium in charge of the project which was launched by the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic Resources (MERH) and managed by the project coordination and management unit (UCM).

The consortium consists of the, a French company active in the management of public services and in the production of electricity and drinking water in Africa, , a CDC Group plc owned company that is dedicated to developing and investing in transmission, distribution and off-grid electricity infrastructure primarily in Africa, and the  a Pan-African EPC contractor and power developer specialized in power infrastructures of Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Essor project

The Essor project is an initiative of the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in partnership with the British government. Funding of US$ 100m will be mobilized by the consortium for the implantation of the projects in the three towns.

Upon completion, the three sites will help supply 460,000 inhabitants in the three localities which were chosen for their economic dynamism as well as the lack of reliable, affordable, and clean operational alternatives for short and medium term electrification.

The Essor project ultimately plans to equip 23 additional localities while the government of the Central African country aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 17% come the year 2030.