KASHARA-KIMOMO - CONGO

KASHARA-KIMOMO - CONGO

Project Date
15/04/2021 - 21/07/2021

Type of plant
SYSTEM INTEGRATOR Mini-grid

Client
AVSI Foundation

 

Group 50Peak Power

100 kWp of PV + 15 kWp of Hydro

Group 49Users

420

Group 48Storage Capacity

130 kWh

 

The inhabitants of Kashara and Kimomo (South Idjwi, South Kivu, DRC) will finally benefit from the implementation of their mini-grid. The two communities, which were not covered by the national grid, now have access to a clean, sustainable source of energy adapted to their current and future needs.

ESI spa collaborated in the realisation of the mini-grid in the Democratic Republic of Congo by building an off-grid hybrid photovoltaic and hydroelectric plant in EPC formula on behalf of the non-profit organisation AVSI Foundation. The photovoltaic plant has an installed capacity of 100 kWp through the use of high-quality polycrystalline modules mounted on the roof of a steel structure built by ESI, which will function as a village marketplace to incentivise commercial activities on the island. The storage capacity of 130 kWh (lead GEL technology) guarantees a continuous supply of electricity throughout the day. The grid is also powered by a 15 kW hydroelectric plant that avoids over-discharging the batteries, thus guaranteeing the continuity of electricity supply under all operating conditions and maximising the performance and lifetime of each plant component.

The plant guarantees the supply of electricity to 420 consumers through a low-voltage distribution network of approximately 10 km. The connections are divided into 400 households and 20 businesses.

Thanks to the presence of our photovoltaic plant, new commercial activities have been introduced in the community, which can now benefit from refrigerators for food and sanitary use, and mills for milling cassava. Thanks to the access to energy, various activities can now improve the quality of production and the conditions of the workers. Examples of this are the activities directly adjacent to the market that have been realised, a blacksmith, a tailor shop, and an oil mill that have finally seen an improvement in working conditions. And these are just some of the benefits the project has brought to the communities that finally have the tools they need for their growth.