But are these problems unique to the Platinum of the Great Inga? In fact, says Professor George Ogidis, an expert on hydropower forces in the UK.
He says the years of delay and numerous changes in the “normal” partners for the main infrastructure project as the Inga Platinum.
It indicates the UK Project Mersey Tidal – Which, if successful will be the largest in the world tidal barrier. The idea was first swimming in 1984 and was abandoned and then revived in decades.
“Does this mean that we are unstable here in the UK?” Mr. Aggidis asks. He describes the Inga project as “doable”.
Alyaksandr Schwab, executive director of the Austrian company Andritz, which signed up for the supply of equipment for Inga 3, shares similar sentiments.
Mr. Schwab says that Andricki signed the CU with the Congolese authorities, but did not receive a single word about the project since 2021.
It seems that it is not largely surprised by the lack of communication, saying that each of the three major infrastructure projects will “stop”.
For Mr. Schwab, Grand Inga – “One of the best mega projects … in the world”.
But despite its potential, there are deep problems about the environmental and social impact of the project.
The widespread criticism is that the dam will benefit the consumers of South Africa and Dr. Congo’s mining companies, but not the Congolese people. About 80% of the population lacks electricity access.
“Inga will not bring electricity for people,” says Emmanuel Musyu, the head of the Congolese Coalition. He claims that most electricity has already been promised South Africa and mines.
In a recent report on Inga 3, Dr. Congo, the dam has admitted that the dam is “insufficient to solve DRC energy and development”, but stated that it could act as a “catalyst” for national changes.
The World Bank has stated that it studies how it can support the government to provide Inga “brings extensive benefits to energy access.”
Environmental groups and rights are also worried that approximately 37,000 Inga residents will be moved without compensation. According to organizations such as the International Rivers and the United Del Deute En La Globalització, thousands were forcibly removed from their homes and never compensated when Inga I and II were built.
They also say that the first two dams damaged the biodiversity of the region and that any additional dams can do the same.
“It will have a certain effect on fish and all animals in the water … If you change the flow of water in the rivers, we can see how some species of fish disappear,” Mr. says.
A 2018 study claimed that many large -scale hydropower projects in Europe and the US were catastrophic for the environment.
Dr. Congo authorities have admitted that people would be moved by Inga III, but said the residents would be relocated in areas with basic services and promise that “fair compensation” will be awarded.
They also recognized the risks to the local environment and said the assessment aimed at reducing this impact will be completed over the next two years. However, according to the BBC source close to the project, the authorities have not yet raised enough money to finance these research.
If Grand Inga just feels ups and downs coming with big infrastructure projects, the World Bank can still have an excuse for optimism.
But the dam is a complex engineering project – one that requires that many stakeholders work together in harmony.
The return of the World Bank, just to leave three gorges, suggests that Dr. Congo is fighting for maintaining such unity.
And despite the ambition of Dr. Congo, construction cannot begin if the funding is not fixed.
So as long as this project, which can change the lives of millions in Africa, remains exactly the great vision.
