The Republic of Congo plans to double power generation, prioritising renewable energy and partnerships to boost electricity access. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Republic of Congo has announced plans to double its power generation capacity to 1,500MW by 2030, prioritising renewable energy projects to expand electricity access and support industrial development

Speaking at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum in Brazzaville, Congolese Minister of Energy and Water, Émile Ouosso, emphasised the initiative’s goal of improving energy access for the country’s six million citizens.

A significant component of this strategy involves partnerships with the World Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation through Mission 300, an initiative launched in April 2024 to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030. The World Bank and the African Development Bank are key financial supporters, aiming to address the continent’s energy deficit.

Ouosso underscored the role of international collaboration, stating, “With the support of international initiatives like Mission 300, we are poised to make significant strides in electrifying our nation and improving the quality of life for our citizens.”

To achieve this, the Republic of Congo is leveraging its domestic renewable energy potential. The country has an estimated 27,000 MW of hydropower capacity, though only 1% has been developed. Several projects focusing on water diversion and storage techniques are being planned to optimize hydropower generation.

“Our most valuable energy resource is water. With proper investments, we can unlock this potential to generate more electricity, foster industrialization and electrify rural communities,” Ouosso stated. He further highlighted that 4,000MW of hydropower potential has been identified in the Brazzaville region, with projects aimed at delivering clean, reliable energy for both residential and industrial use.

Solar energy is also part of the country’s energy diversification strategy. AMEA Power is currently assessing the feasibility of a 5 MW solar farm in the Brazzaville region. Additionally, the government is incorporating natural gas into its energy mix, with Chinese firm Wing Wah developing a 400MW gas-fired power project, 200MW of which will be integrated into the national grid.

“If we modernise our power transmission infrastructure, we can transition away from fuel entirely,” Ouosso concluded.

IRENA’s latest report shows renewables hit 4,448 GW in 2024, but faster expansion is needed to meet the 2030 global target. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has released its Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025 report, revealing a substantial increase in renewable energy capacity in 2024, reaching 4,448 GW

The year saw an additional 585 GW of renewable power, accounting for 92.5% of total capacity expansion—the highest annual growth rate on record at 15.1%.

Despite this milestone, the report highlights that current progress remains insufficient to meet the global target of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.

To align with this objective, annual renewable expansion must accelerate to 16.6% per year, up from the current pace.

Geographic disparities in renewable energy development remain stark. Asia led global growth, with China alone contributing nearly 64% of the newly installed capacity.

Meeting Paris Agreement goals

By contrast, Central America and the Caribbean accounted for just 3.2%. The G7 nations made up 14.3% of new capacity, while the G20 was responsible for 90.3%.

Solar and wind power continued to dominate the sector, making up 96.6% of all new renewable capacity additions.

Solar energy alone expanded by 32.2%, reaching 1,865 GW, while wind power grew by 11.1%.

The report also notes a decline in non-renewable power generation in some regions, helping to reinforce the shift toward renewables.

However, IRENA stresses that more ambitious action is needed to meet the 2030 targets and the Paris Agreement commitments.

The agency has been advocating for clearer renewable energy targets in the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and is actively working with member states to enhance their implementation strategies, with a focus on the energy sector.

IRENA director-general, Francesco La Camera, said, “The continuous growth of renewables we witness each year is evidence that renewables are economically viable and readily deployable. Each year they keep breaking their own expansion records, but we also face the same challenges of great regional disparities and the ticking clock as the 2030 deadline is imminent.”

“With economic competitiveness and energy security being increasingly a major global concern today, expanding renewable power capacity at speed equals tapping into business opportunities and addressing energy security quickly and sustainably. I call on governments to leverage on the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) as an opportunity to outline a clear blueprint of their renewable energy ambitions, and on the international community to enhance collaborations in support of the ambitions of Global South’s countries,” he added.

Commenting on the remarkable progress, the United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, said, “Renewable energy is powering down the fossil fuel age. Record-breaking growth is creating jobs, lowering energy bills and cleaning our air. Renewables renew economies. But the shift to clean energy must be faster and fairer – with all countries given the chance to fully benefit from cheap, clean renewable power.”

Hybrid microgrid powers Orange Mali’s remote telecom tower. (Image source: Orange)

Caterpillar Inc. has announced that Orange Mali, the largest telecommunications operator in West Africa, has successfully demonstrated a hybrid microgrid power system at a mobile tower site in Kéniéba, Mali

This innovative solution significantly lowers the total cost of ownership while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%.

Engineers from Neemba, the local Cat dealer, installed and commissioned the system designed by Caterpillar. It integrates a Cat C2.2 diesel generator set, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, and lithium-ion energy storage to supply up to 6 kW of power. Previously, the site relied solely on a diesel generator.

The system’s modular design allows for future expansion, enabling additional components to be integrated as network demand grows.

“Orange is dedicated to building a more responsible digital world by achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040,” said Mahamadou Keita, project manager for Orange Mali. “The hybrid microgrid system developed by Neemba and Caterpillar exemplifies our collaborations with innovative companies that share our drive for decarbonisation.”

Hybrid power solutions for remote telecom sites

Caterpillar’s hybrid power solution for telecom towers combines solar PV panels with a diesel generator to ensure reliable energy supply. During daylight hours, solar energy powers the site while charging the battery storage system. At night or in overcast conditions, the stored energy provides power, reducing diesel usage and emissions.

The system is managed automatically using an on-site control system, which also enables remote monitoring. This allows real-time access to performance data, facilitates early issue detection, and speeds up troubleshooting. By optimising available renewable resources and ensuring the generator operates at peak efficiency, the hybrid system helps lower operating costs and maximise reliability, making it ideal for off-grid locations.

Over the past decade, Neemba has supplied Orange Mali with more than a thousand Cat generator sets ranging in size from 15 kVA to 1 MVA. The company also maintains power solutions at hundreds of telecom towers through extended service contracts.

“Neemba has supported the transformation of enterprises in West Africa for nearly a century, and this hybrid microgrid demonstration for Orange Mali shows how we can leverage advanced Cat power solutions and our industry expertise to support our customers through the energy transition,” said Sanou Baba Nestor, energy sales manager for Neemba.

Caterpillar’s commitment to energy transition

Caterpillar continues to support customers’ climate-related goals by offering products, technologies, and services designed to enhance energy flexibility, improve efficiency, and lower emissions.

“The energy transition requires resilient solutions that maintain superior power availability and reliability while reducing associated costs for the customer,” said Neil Smith, growth strategy manager for Caterpillar Electric Power. “One size doesn’t fit all, and our collaboration with Neemba and Orange Mali proves how we can combine our deep portfolio with our knowledge of the telecommunications sector to help customers excel in every aspect of performance.”

Caterpillar remains committed to developing innovative power solutions that deliver long-term value, reliability, and sustainability. The company also offers global product support through the Cat dealer network, providing maintenance services and customer value agreements to help optimise the total cost of ownership for its equipment.

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CEC is stepping up solar investments. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Zambia's Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) is to invest US$500mn over the next two years to upgrade its solar power capacity and to beef up transmission lines to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

CEC supplies power to most of Zambia’s major copper mines and also sells electricity to customers in neighbouring DRC via the sole power transmission line linking the Congo and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

In 2024, CEC’s operational renewables portfolio increased to 94 MW, after the commissioning of the 60 MW Itimpi-1 solar PV plant, joining an existing 34 MW plant in Riverside, Kitwe.

But, according to Mutale Mukuka, CEC’s chief financial officer, there is an appetite for more.

“We're looking to invest around US$500mn over the next two years and most of this financing will come from third-party financiers,” he told Reuters in an interview.

“We'll [also] invest quite heavily in transmission projects to make sure that power from [new projects] can reach consumers,” he added.

It follows a relaxation of financing constraints as Zambia emerges from a four-year sovereign debt default.

The country has also been tested by an El Niño-induced drought which wiped out a large chunk of homegrown power generation.

Earlier this month, CEC released its full-year 2024 results with managing director, Owen Silavwe, outlining plans to proceed with two additional medium-sized solar PV power plants on top of the flagship 136MW Itimpi II solar PV project, now under construction.

Once commissioned in early 2026, Itimpi II will increase total generation capacity under its subsidiary company, CEC Renewables, to 230MW.

At the end of last year, the group issued a US$97mn green bond to help fund the second phase of Itimpi, a reflection of the easing financial environment.

CEC’s two further solar projects include the 12.5MW Fitula solar PV project and the 20MW Garneton South solar PV project, both located in Kitwe.

The Garneton South solar project is being done under the GET FiT Solar programme while the Fitula solar PV project is a joint venture with one of CEC’s mining customers.

CEC is also keen to upgrade the transmission line to the DRC to 550 MW, from 250 MW currently.

In 2024, it enhanced the capacity on the interconnector through the installation of voltage support equipment.

In opening remarks to the 2024 annual report, Silavwe highlighted the resiliency of the energy system in the face of adversity during recent times.

“Through operational resilience and effective strategy execution, we sustained power supply to our customers, leveraging our own generation and third-party sources locally and regionally,” he noted.

CEC’s 2024 group revenues increased by 43% to US$547.7mn, driven mainly by higher regional and local power sales and wheeling services, though overall profits fell by 30% to US$97mn.

CEC Renewables also released its 2024 results a week later in March, with Hilton Fulele, assets manager, flagging the shift to solar power because of uncertainties facing hydro production.

“As climate-related challenges continue to impact hydroelectric power generation, solar projects will provide a sustainable complement, to support the drive for economic growth in the region,” Fulele noted.

Read more: 

Luapula hydropower project inches closer

Five solar mini grids powers sustainable access in Zambia

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