In this context, 3E Ing. was commissioned to assess the potential for hydroelectric power generation in Katanga. More specifically, 3E Eng.’s technical experts carried out the following tasks:

1. Identify the location of potential hydroelectric sites in order to plan field visits. This preliminary location was carried out by analyzing river profiles using digital mapping tools such as Google Earth and Global Mapper.
2. For all hydroelectric sites, evaluate the classified flow curves and waterfall heights, make an approximate assessment of the potential output, and identify the main challenges (energy distribution to the national grid or to an isolated network, difficulties related to accessibility, development, and construction, etc.). Based on the results of this preliminary analysis, propose priority sites according to the mission’s objectives.
3. For the prioritized sites, evaluate the main characteristics of the structures, including, among other things, installed capacity, potential output, equipment flow rate, type of turbines, reservoir volume and surface area, and dam type and dimensions.
4. Propose a preliminary development plan on Google Earth for the components of the prioritized sites, including, among other things, the dam, the power plant, the water intake, the spillway, and the intake canal.
5. Visit a potential geothermal site and participate in the assessment of production and costs.
6. Estimate the costs of hydroelectric power generation sites as well as the costs of electricity distribution and transmission networks.
7. Analyze topographic data with Global Mapper and Google Earth.
8. Develop rural electrification options related to the construction and operation of new power plants, highlighting the design and operation aspects of the distribution networks to be built.
9. Briefly propose geographical network options and technological options (network voltage, location of main transformers).
10. Establish the technical and financial pre-feasibility of electrification projects (urban and rural distribution networks, solar power plants, autonomous solar systems, biomass generation).
11. Conduct analyses to identify rural communities and villages requesting electricity, characterizing them by demand type, location, and consumption potential.

Surplus generation capacity corresponds to the production that the plant can supply and sell in excess of base load production. This generation capacity therefore depends primarily on the surplus water available in the reservoir and the plant’s production capacity after base load production.