Metalkol SA, an entity of the Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), and the Société Nationale d'Électricité SA (SNEL SA) have inaugurated the first circuit of the 120 kV line connecting the Nseke power station to the West Substation (Nseke-RO) in Lualaba Province.
The ceremony, held at the Nseke-RO site, was attended by Sakombi Molendo, Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity; Clément Mufundji Tshinat, Vice-Governor of Lualaba Province; a delegation from SNEL SA led by Chairman of the Board Luc Badibanga and CEO Teddy Lwamba; Eric Monga, national Vice-President of the Congolese Employers’ Federation (FEC) responsible for energy; representatives of ERG Africa; technical partners MCS and Sescon; and several public and private institutions.
The project demonstrates the value of collaboration between the private and public sectors in developing strategic infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In his address, the Minister emphasised the project’s strategic significance for energy security and regional socio-economic development, stating: “This large-scale infrastructure is the result of exemplary collaboration between SNEL and Metalkol SA. Completed in less than nine months, it stands as a testament to the effective partnership between the public and private sectors, built on mutual trust, complementary expertise, and a shared commitment to the public good. The project fully reflects the strategic vision of His Excellency Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Republic.”
In 2024, Metalkol and SNEL SA identified the project as a strategic initiative, set to directly strengthen the electricity network, enhance energy stability, and provide tangible, lasting benefits to the mining sector around Kolwezi as well as local communities.
Speaking at the ceremony, SNEL SA’s Chairman, Luc Badibanga, emphasised, “Without reliable, competitive, and sustainable electricity, our mineral wealth cannot be transformed into shared prosperity.”
The commissioning of the line increases transfer capacity to approximately 260 MW, enabling all energy produced at the Nseke hydroelectric plant to be transmitted to the RO substation.
The project also forms a key part of ERG Africa’s sustainable development strategy, which seeks to balance industrial performance with positive community impact and environmental responsibility. ERG Africa representatives, Joachim Nzuzi, Chief of Staff; Isabel Ramirez, Chief of Strategic Projects and Energy; and Adrian Fariala, Head of Energy, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to a collaborative approach and to supporting national energy security.
The new line will allow Metalkol to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 2,000 tonnes per month and significantly decrease reliance on fuel. Improved network reliability will recover an average of 30 operational hours per month, representing estimated savings of nearly US$3 million.
The project showcases the outstanding technical expertise of the team, comprising SNEL SA, Metalkol, MCS, and consulting engineers Sescon. It has also created more than 150 local jobs and facilitated substantial skills transfer for future projects.
The second phase, which Metalkol aims to start as soon as possible, will involve constructing the line spans at the substations to complete the double-circuit line, further strengthening the resilience of Kolwezi’s electricity network and its surrounding areas.