The EU should rally behind INGA hydro power (by E. Rhein)

INGA has been known for decades. The first small hydro plants have
been built in the 1970s and 1990s; both need rehabilitation. A third
much bigger plant (with an estimated capacity of >4 GW) is in the
planning stage. A first feasibility study for the Big INGA been
prepared in 1997; in 2007 the African Development has launched
additional studies.

Most recently, the World Energy Council has tried to muster
political and financial support for INGA. It has organised a workshop
on the financial aspects of the power plants and transmission lines.
The total financing required might be in the order of at least 30
billion over the coming 10-20 years. So far the G8 has failed to
express special interest, despite its political commitment to speeding
up Africa’s development.

Nor has the EU, with almost € 2 billion grants and loans annually
the main donor to Africa, It does not seem to appreciate the huge
contribution INGA might make to African economic integration and to
climate change.

When will the EU rise to the challenge?