Ivanhoe Mines has announced that the refurbished Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydropower facility has reached full operating capacity, delivering approximately 180MW into the national grid. The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex is currently receiving its initial 50MW of clean hydropower from this output.
Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President and Chief Executive Officer Marna Cloete confirmed that power received at Kamoa-Kakula is expected to increase to 100MW by the first quarter of 2026, and to 150MW by 2027, following ongoing grid improvement projects.
The refurbishment of Turbine #5, including replacement of mechanical and electrical components, was completed in the third quarter of 2025. Synchronisation occurred in early Q4 2025.
The power delivery increase depends on upgrades to key substations at Inga (SCI) and Kolwezi (SCK). Resistor bank upgrades at Inga were completed in May 2025, while corresponding upgrades at Kolwezi are nearing completion. A static compensator at Kolwezi is scheduled for completion in early Q1 2026, enabling delivery of up to 100MW. Further upgrades to filter banks at both SCI and SCK will continue over the next 18 months, supporting the target of 150MW by the first half of 2027.
By the end of 2027, Kamoa-Kakula expects to receive approximately 210MW of domestically sourced renewable power.
The refurbishment project is the result of a more than 10-year partnership between Ivanhoe Mines and the DRC state-owned power utility, Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL), aimed at restoring 250MW of renewable hydropower capacity at Inga II.
Representatives from SNEL, Gruner Stucky AG, VOITH, and Kamoa Copper participated in commissioning activities at the Inga II site.
Qualified technical disclosures were reviewed and approved by Steve Amos, Executive Vice President, Projects at Ivanhoe Mines, and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
Ivanhoe Mines operates three principal projects in Africa: the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and the Kipushi Mine in the DRC, and the Platreef Mine in South Africa. The company also holds exploration licenses in the Western Forelands in the DRC, and is conducting copper exploration in Angola, Kazakhstan, and Zambia.
