Will the world’s largest dam be built?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) is planning the construction of the Grand Inga Dam, which would become the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world. The dam is planned to be built on the powerful Congo River and generate over 40,000 MW of electricity, making it the largest in the world—twice the size of China’s Three Gorges Dam. According to plans, the power plant could supply vast areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, where 600 million people lack access to electricity. The project has attracted international investors and developers for years, but despite decades of discussions, the designated construction site remains untouched.

The history of the project: Inga 1, Inga 2, and further plans

The first dams on the Congo River—Inga 1 and Inga 2—were built in the 1970s and 1980s during the presidency of Mobutu Sese Seko. However, over the years, a lack of funding for their maintenance has led to infrastructure deterioration. Both power plants currently operate at only 80% of their capacity. In subsequent years, plans emerged to increase their efficiency and build six new dams, including Inga 3, which was intended as the first phase of the larger Grand Inga project.

In 2003, the international collective Westcor, which included countries such as South Africa, Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, attempted to implement the project, planning to expand the existing dams. However, Westcor dissolved due to a lack of progress and coordination issues. The dream of Grand Inga has endured, but the project remains stuck in the planning phase. The construction of Inga 3 was initially scheduled to be completed by 2018.

Financial problems and difficulties in implementing Grand Inga

The Grand Inga project faces many challenges, primarily financial ones. The cost of the project is estimated at $80 billion, a tremendous burden for DR Congo—one of the poorest countries in the world. According to BBC sources, last week the Chinese company Three Gorges Corporation, one of the main investors providing both capital and technical expertise, withdrew from the project. The decision of the Chinese partner was reportedly due to dissatisfaction with the Congolese authorities’ management of the project. However, this information comes from an anonymous source, and the company has not issued an official confirmation.

The lack of financial and political stability in DR Congo, along with a history of corruption and internal conflicts, continues to deter potential investors who fear the project may not generate profits for decades.

The world’s largest dam – the need and potential of the project

The Grand Inga project has the potential to accelerate Africa’s industrialization and improve electricity access in regions that need it the most. South Africa, which struggles with frequent power outages, signed an agreement in 2013 committing to importing approximately 2,500 MW of energy from Inga 3. This means that more than half of the power generated by this hydroelectric plant would go to South Africa. Similar interest in the project has been expressed by other countries, such as Nigeria, Guinea, and Angola, which also face electricity shortages.

Critics, however, point out that the energy produced by Grand Inga would not primarily benefit Congolese citizens. Most of the energy has already been promised to international buyers like South Africa and mining companies, while 80% of the population would still struggle with electricity access.

Controversies and environmental concerns

The Grand Inga project raises serious controversies, particularly regarding its environmental and social impact. Organizations such as International Rivers and Observatori del Deute en la Globalització warn that the dam’s construction could destroy local biodiversity. Altering the Congo River’s flow could impact fish populations and other aquatic species, potentially leading to species loss. Additionally, about 37,000 residents of the Inga region may be displaced without adequate compensation. Similar issues occurred during the construction of Inga 1 and Inga 2 when thousands of people were evicted without receiving any restitution.

International support

Despite numerous challenges, the project has recently gained new international support. The World Bank, which withdrew funding in 2016 due to strategic disagreements, has resumed talks with the DR Congo government. The Bank has emphasized that it is exploring ways to support the project to ensure that its benefits extend to Congolese citizens, not just foreign energy buyers.