The Western Power Corridor project - The planning for large scale hydro electric power generation and transmission across Southern Africa

The Westcor project is intended to exploit the environmentally friendly, renewable, hydroelectric energy of the Inga rapids site in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). First pass studies show that HVAC is inadequate and that conventional HVDC at 500 kV is acceplable for low loads over the long distance. For higher loads, it will be required to increase the operating voltage. First pass studies show that 3 GW could be transmitted over the 4000km long distance at an operating voltage of 800kV. For the present day, the engineering focus is on conducting the pre feasibility studies, the feasibility studies and preparing the project for financial closure. The customers for the energy off take are the participating utilities and the tariff would largely be determined by the overall capital costs.