The city of Kalemie, located in the Tanganyika province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been without electricity since Saturday, November 14, for a period of 14 days. According to the Société nationale d'électricité (SNEL), the power outage is due to the temporary shutdown of the main group 2 at the Bendera hydroelectric dam as part of rehabilitation works. The Bendera dam is a crucial source of electricity for Kalemie and surrounding areas.
The Bendera hydroelectric dam, constructed by Belgian engineers during the colonial era and commissioned in July 1959, has been in operation for several decades and requires regular maintenance to ensure its functionality. The SNEL states that the shutdown of group 2 will enable the rehabilitation and modernization of groups 1 and 2 at the dam. The rehabilitation works are expected to be completed within 14 days.
Simplice Mufwa, the provincial Minister of Energy for Tanganyika, announced that a team of Swiss technicians has arrived at Bendera to participate in the rehabilitation works. The works will not only focus on group 2 but also on group 1, which has been shut down since 2009. The minister assured that the team will work to restore power to the city as soon as possible.
To mitigate the impact of the power outage on the population, the provincial authorities have announced temporary measures to provide essential services with electricity. The authorities plan to provide fuel to enable the production of electricity from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm using available generators in Kalemie. The priority supply will mainly concern strategic installations and sensitive areas of the city.
The Bendera hydroelectric dam, located about 125 kilometers from Kalemie, is one of the main sources of electricity supply for the Tanganyika province. The dam has been in operation for over 60 years and plays a critical role in powering the region. The rehabilitation works are expected to improve the dam's functionality and ensure a stable power supply to the area.
The power outage has caused significant disruptions to daily life in Kalemie, with residents facing challenges in accessing essential services. However, the provincial authorities have assured that they are working to minimize the impact of the outage and restore power to the city as soon as possible. The authorities have also appealed to residents to be patient and understanding during this period.
The rehabilitation works at the Bendera hydroelectric dam are a significant step towards ensuring a stable power supply to the Tanganyika province. Once completed, the works will improve the dam's functionality and provide a reliable source of electricity to the region. The provincial authorities have expressed their gratitude to the Swiss technicians for their assistance in the rehabilitation works.
Key points
- The Bendera hydroelectric dam is a crucial source of electricity for Kalemie and surrounding areas.
- The rehabilitation works at the dam are expected to be completed within 14 days.
- The provincial authorities have announced temporary measures to provide essential services with electricity during the power outage.
