Indian renewables developer Soleos Energy, in collaboration with electrical engineering partner Melci Holdings, is set to commence construction of a 200-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
A groundbreaking ceremony for the project, valued at USD 200 million (approximately EUR 184.5 million), will take place on October 19 in the village of Fipango, located in the territory of Kipushi within Haut-Katanga province.
Construction is expected to begin immediately following the ceremony, with the solar park projected to generate approximately 350 million kWh annually upon completion in late 2025.
The electricity produced will be sold to the national electricity company, Société Nationale d'Électricité (SNEL), under a 25-year contract.
Soleos Energy CFO Jason Temasfield noted the company's ambition to implement up to 1 GW of solar projects in the DRC. According to local media reports citing Julien Paluku Kahongya, the DRC's minister of foreign trade, this project is part of a pilot phase for a larger 500-MW scheme.
