Electrochemical Energy Storage Project in Democratic Republic of Congo

Hydroelectric power (See Annex 1) is the main energy resource of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The DRC ranks first in Africa in terms of its potential (100,000 MW), which accounts for 13% of the global hydropower potential.

London and Kinshasa, November 24, 2021 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) can leverage its abundant cobalt resources and hydroelectric power to become a low-cost and low-emissions producer of lithium-ion battery cathode precursor materials.

One of the Inga dams, a major source of hydroelectricity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo was a net energy exporter in 2008. Most energy was consumed domestically in 2008. According to the IEA statistics the energy export was in 2008 small and less than from the Republic of Congo.

This is due to the DRC's proximity to cathode raw materials and heavy reliance on hydroelectric power plants.

This is three times cheaper than what a similar plant in the U.S. would cost. A similar plant in China and Poland would cost an estimated $112 million and $65 million, respectively. Precursor material produced at plants in the DRC could be cost competitive with material produced in China and Poland but with a lower environmental footprint.

“The DRC's cost competitiveness comes from its relatively cheap access to land and low engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC, cost compared to the U.S., Poland and China,” said Kwasi Ampofo, lead author of the report and BNEF's head of metals and mining.