The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) invites expressions of interest from consultants to help study development of a regional market for power to be generated by the giant Inga hydroelectric complex. Responses are due August 7, 2009.

Currently, the 350-MW Inga 1 and 1,424-MW Inga 2 projects produce a total of only 500 MW and are undergoing refurbishment activity on the Congo River. (HydroWorld 4/20/09) However, they are the keystone of a proposal by DRC and its neighbors to invest up to US$40 billion to expand the Inga complex to a target capacity of 40,000 MW.

In 2008, the five-nation Western Power Corridor Co. (Pty) Ltd. (Westcor) launched development of the 4,300-MW Inga 3 project with a solicitation for advisers, consultants, and operational staff. (HydroWorld 2/21/08) DRC is reported to be seeking partners to help finance the US$7 billion Inga 3, which is expected to interconnect with the southern Africa power grid to help meet growing demand.

In the latest solicitation, the DRC utility, Societe Nationale d'Electricite (SNEL), plans to pre-qualify consultants to provide technical assistance to a study of developing an electricity market. The study is to reinforce cooperation and regional integration and to help improve access to electricity in Africa.

The consultant is to support the market study unit in acquisition of goods and services and the recruitment of independent experts to review social, environmental, technical, and economic factors.

SNEL plans to name a short-list of five to seven consultants. Expressions of interest, labeled "Etude de Developpement du site hydroelectrique d'Inga et des interconnexions electriques associees - Marche Consultant en Acquisitions," are due to the address below by noon August 7.

For information, contact Societe Nationale d'Electricite, SNEL, Cellule d'Execution de l'Etude de Developpement du site d'Inga, 2381 Avenue de la Justice, Kinshasa - Gombe/RDC, Democratic Republic of Congo; (243) 81-8103690; E-mail: etudeinga_cee@yahoo.ca, profkitoko@yahoo.fr.