A U.S. company is injecting $700 million into an ambitious project to harness methane gas from Lake Kivu. The goal: generate hundreds of megawatts of electricity, reduce environmental risks, and boost economic activity in Eastern DRC.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s energy sector is set to receive a significant boost. A U.S.-based company has announced a $700 million investment to tap into the vast methane gas reserves of Lake Kivu and convert them into reliable electricity.
The project includes the construction of state-of-the-art extraction and power generation facilities along the lake’s shores. By transforming methane—a gas trapped in large quantities beneath the lake—into clean energy, the initiative aims to address two critical challenges: meeting the country’s growing electricity needs and mitigating the environmental hazards posed by methane buildup in the lake’s depths.
Initial estimates suggest the project could deliver hundreds of megawatts of power, alleviating a substantial portion of the DRC’s energy deficit, particularly in the eastern regions. The electricity generated will serve both industrial and residential consumers, driving regional economic growth.
Beyond energy production, the venture is expected to create hundreds of direct jobs during the construction phase, with additional opportunities for local businesses. Technical training programs will also be introduced to equip Congolese workers with the skills needed to operate and maintain the advanced systems.
Exploiting Lake Kivu’s methane offers a dual advantage: enhancing safety by preventing potential gas eruptions, and unlocking an underutilized natural resource for economic gain. This partnership between the DRC and the American investor represents a decisive step toward diversifying the country’s energy mix.
If construction begins as planned in 2026, the first electricity deliveries could be made by 2028—positioning Lake Kivu as a future energy hub in the Great Lakes region.
