The technical assistance project for the solar energy program in Garamba National Park, DRC, is coming to an end. Launched in 2019, the project aimed to improve access to energy in the areas surrounding the Park in northeastern DRC. MARGE first supported African Parks Network (APN), a South African NGO that co-manages the Park, in developing a strategy. This, on the technical side, was based on the deployment of mini-grids in the different towns and the distribution of solar kits in villages. In terms of delivery model, partnership with the private sector was the approach selected. The first two hybrid solar mini-grids with a total capacity of 330 kWp were commissioned in the towns of Tadu and Faradje in June 2021. They were developed, built, co-financed and are currently operated by the Congolese company Nuru. Approximately 500 households and small businesses are powered by these two mini-grids.
A third mini-grid, with an installed capacity of 227 kWp, is under construction in the town of Dungu and is due to be commissioned shortly. It was developed and co-financed by the French company GDSI. It was built and will be operated by a local company, Soleils de la Garamba, owned by GDSI, with the participation of the Beninese company ARESS. This mini-grid will initially supply 350 households and small businesses, but a more ambitious phase 2 is already at an advanced stage of planning and financing.
MARGE just completed field mission in Dungu to carry out the technical acceptance of this third power plant and its MV/LV distribution network. This mission marks the end of MARGE's support to APN, which was responsible for implementing this EU-funded solar assistance program, which lasted almost seven years.
In addition to the construction of these three power plants, the program also contributed to the deployment of individual solar systems and subsidized solar lanterns for the poorest households, in collaboration with the Congolese company Altech. This component of the project ended in September 2021, with 3,200 solar lanterns and 950 kits sold.
Beyond its impact in terms of improving access to energy in areas surrounding Garamba National Park, this project allowed to mobilise more than €1 million in private investment for remote and hard-to-reach areas and incentivised solar energy companies to set up in these same areas. These companies have already expanded or plan to expand their activities and impact well beyond the initial objectives of the project.
The entire MARGE team would like to thank APN for the trust and excellent collaboration over the past seven years, and the companies Nuru, GDSI, ARESS, and Altech for their professionalism and dedication.