HydroLink Plans $1.5B Transmission Line Along Lobito Corridor from Angola to DR Congo

HydroLink is planning a new regional transmission along the Lobito Corridor which will allow Angola to export power to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The line is 1,150-km long and is estimated to cost USD 1.5 billion. The aim to supply power for the mining operations in the mineral-rich #Copperbelt region in DRC.

According to the plan, the TL will be ready by 2030 and has a capacity of 1.2 GW. Most of the power will be generated by the Lauca plant in Angola and will be sold to miners in the Kolwezi region in DRC.

HydroLink is a subsidiary of US-based Symbion Power. In order to finance the project, HydroLink is engaging with the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to come up with 70% of the cost. Additional funding is expected from the US Export and Import Bank (USEXIM). The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) might also provide funding for feasibility studies. On the private sector side, Swiss firm Mitrelli has also expressed interest as an equity partner.

At the end of the line, HydroLink are in discussions with mining majors Glencore and Ivanhoe Mines for an offtake agreement. According to the AfDB, Angola enjoys a surplus of 1.5 GW of surplus electricity capacity which it is keen to sell. On the other hand, the DRC has a shortfall of 700 MW of power in the Copperbelt region alone, making the partnership possible.

Currently, the miners in DRC rely mostly on diesel generators for power, or even import power from Zambia. When implemented, it will fill in a gap and push the sector toward the #EnergyTranstion. Investors are also looking more toward #GreenMining as public concerns about #ClimateChange remain high.

The regional TL project is packaged and presented as part of the #LobitoCorridor. This is one of the #EconomicCorridors which has been identified by the US and EU as central to secure #CriticalMinerals from Africa. The project featured prominent at the recent US-Africa Business Summit (#UABS2025) and the US is working concurrently to mediate peace between DR Congo and Rwanda in order to stabilize the region.