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22 Apr 2025

Congo’s CEC to Double Production at Gas-to-Power Facility

Congo’s CEC to Double Production at Gas-to-Power Facility
Centrale Électrique du Congo (CEC) plans to expand its 484 MW gas-fired power plant to 950 MW in response to the Republic of Congo’s rising electricity demand. According to CEC Director General Gianmaria Pozzoli, the upcoming expansion will involve the installation of one gas turbine and two steam turbines. Speaking to Energy Capital & Power during the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF), Pozzoli noted that the project is slated to begin soon and will be implemented over a three-year period.

What gas-to-power projects is CEC implementing to align with Congo’s Gas Master Plan, which stipulates increased use of gas for energy security?

Our short-term strategy aims to increase power generation capacity by 5-10% to meet growing electricity demand. We require a 35% increase in gas supply – equivalent to approximately one million standard cubic meters – to achieve our production increase target. As the largest power producer in the country, supplying nearly 70% of Congo’s electricity, it is crucial that all domestic gas producers contribute to meeting this demand. Currently, we are securing gas supply through a long-term agreement with the Marine XII consortium, which includes Eni Congo and its partners, as well as from the Mbungu field operated by Eni.

What mechanisms is CEC leveraging to expand its customer base and attract financing for its expansion strategy?

Our primary customer is the national utility responsible for electricity transmission and distribution across the country. We signed an agreement with a major consumer to supply electricity from the upcoming expansion project. We are also actively engaged in discussions with several mining firms in Pointe-Noire that have expressed interest in securing a reliable power supply. We aim to broaden our client base to include players from the mining and logistics sectors.

The process of securing financing starts with the government creating a more open and private sector-friendly energy market. CEC is working with international banks to secure funding for the plant’s expansion. We also leverage power purchase agreements as a key mechanism to attract investment for development projects.

What was CEC's key message at CEIF 2025?

The event enabled us to have discussions on critical issues such as fossil fuels, renewable energy and energy security with other stakeholders in the country and industry. Our objective is to leverage these conversations to develop a shared strategy for the future. Our key message was that ongoing reform is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of the electricity sector, particularly in terms of financing.

Watch the full video interview here.

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