The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo DR) has signed a joint agreement regarding the development of the US$14bn Inga-3 giant hydropower project, with a consortium led by Chinese state-run power company China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) and a consortium led by Spanish company ACS (Actividades de Construcción y Servicios). After initially competing for the deal, the two companies agreed to submit a joint bid in June 2018.
The two consortia will carry out feasibility studies for the project, which has been repeatedly delayed and is currently scheduled for completion in 2024-2025. It will be located on the Congo river next to the already existing Inga-1 and Inga-2 dams. It is part of the eight-stage Grand Inga project that is expected to produce a record 44,000 MW. The 4,800 MW project capacity is primarily meant to support the future power exports to South Africa (52% of the output), then for Congo DR's mining sector (27%) and the remaining for the domestic power demand.