The Democratic Republic of Congo has by far the largest hydro potential in Africa, and it is among the largest of any country in the world. Its gross theoretical hydro potential is 1397TWh/yr and its technically feasible potential is equivalent to 100,000MW. Both these figures were evaluated in June 1997. The economically feasible potential was calculated in October 1991 to be more than 419,210GWh/year (based on sites in operation, studied and inventoried, assuming a 100% load factor). Less than 1% of the technically feasible potential has been developed.
The present hydro installed capacity is 2515MW, and a further 4.2MW of hydro capacity is under construction.
Hydro power provides virtually all of the country’s electricity.
