The EMC ELICOM consortium has been selected to develop a 3-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Nioki Centre, a town in the Maï-Ndombe Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The project forms part of the government’s broader strategy to increase electricity access in rural and underserved communities across the country.
The contract was awarded by the National Agency for Rural and Peri-Urban Energy Services (ANSER), the institution responsible for promoting electrification initiatives beyond the DRC’s major urban areas. According to project details, the Nioki solar facility will be the largest standalone installation currently planned under ANSER’s decentralized energy development program.
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Energy challenge
Located on the banks of the Fimi River, Nioki Centre serves as an important commercial and transportation hub for the region. Despite its economic significance, residents and businesses have faced persistent electricity shortages, with limited and unreliable power supply affecting daily activities, public services, and local economic growth.
The planned solar power plant is expected to improve energy reliability for households, businesses, healthcare facilities, schools, and other public institutions. Greater access to stable electricity could also help strengthen productive sectors such as agricultural processing, small-scale manufacturing, and water treatment services.
In addition to enhancing energy access, the project is anticipated to reduce reliance on diesel-powered generation, which remains a common but costly source of electricity in many remote areas. The transition to solar energy is expected to lower operating costs while supporting cleaner and more sustainable power generation.
The development marks another milestone in the DRC’s efforts to expand renewable energy infrastructure and address electricity access challenges in rural regions. Once completed, the Nioki solar plant is expected to contribute to local economic development while improving the quality of life for communities across the area.
