President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi on Friday inaugurated the Busanga hydroelectric power plant, a Sino-Congolese cooperation project financed and built by Chinese enterprises, in the southeastern province of Lualaba.

After cutting the ribbon, the Congolese president visited the dam, the generator room, the central control room and other facilities of the Busanga hydroelectric plant. During the inspection, the Congolese president commended the modernity and quality of the plant. In the control room, Tshisekedi pressed the main operating button of the generator, which officially marked the entry into service and the launch of electricity production at the plant.

President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi presses the main operating button of the generator at the Busanga hydroelectric power plant in Lualaba Province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Oct. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Shi Yu)

Minister of Water Resources and Electricity Olivier Mwenze Mukaleng said that electrification is a priority for the country. The Busanga hydroelectric plant is a result of DRC-China cooperation which serves the local community and DRC's modernization progress.

Chinese ambassador to the DRC Zhao Bin said this project, which is essential to development in the mining region of Greater Katanga, meets the needs of mining companies in terms of energy consumption, and the needs of local residents, adding that he was convinced that advanced technology, high-end equipment, experiences and investments from China will promote the economic development and prosperity of the DRC.

This photo taken on Oct. 6, 2023, shows the Busanga hydroelectric power plant in Lualaba Province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Xinhua/Shi Yu)

The Busanga hydroelectric plant, which was jointly invested and built by China Railway Resources Group and Power Construction Corporation of China, has an installed capacity of 240 megawatts, with an estimated average annual electricity production of 1.32 billion kWh. It will guarantee the power supply for the regional mining enterprises, promote local industrial, economic and social development, and further alleviate power vulnerability for local residents.