- 30 year concession granted to Somagec Energy Holding Limited for Northern Corridor power link.
- Up to 1.2 GW of hydropower exports targeted at DRC mining hubs.
- Project strengthens regional power trade and private sector participation.
The government of Angola has awarded Somagec Energy Holding Limited a 30 year concession to develop the Northern Corridor power export link, a project valued at more than US$1.3 billion that will transmit surplus hydropower to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The cross border initiative will enable the export of up to 1.2 GW of electricity to energy intensive mining regions in the DRC, including Kolwezi, where persistent power shortages continue to constrain industrial output. Angola, by contrast, is building a significant surplus of clean electricity, with capacity expected to reach around 3.5 GW.
The concession, structured under a Build Own Operate and Transfer model, marks a notable step in opening Angola’s electricity sector to private investment following recent regulatory reforms. It also reflects growing momentum behind regional energy integration through the Southern African Power Pool.
The project includes the construction of high voltage transmission infrastructure and modern substations along the Soyo Matadi Inga corridor. The planned 400 kV line will initially support capacity of up to 800 MW while reinforcing electricity supply to Angola’s Cabinda province.
Somagec’s subsidiary ENPOWER holds the required import and export licences, supporting streamlined cross border operations as Angola positions itself as a future energy exporter in Southern and Central Africa.
Driven by major hydropower investments and expansion of the national grid, Angola is rapidly increasing generation capacity. The Northern Corridor is expected to play a key role in evacuating this supply while deepening interconnection with neighbouring markets.
Beyond transmission infrastructure, the project signals a broader shift in Angola’s energy sector, where private capital is taking on a larger role in delivering strategic power projects and enabling long term regional electricity trade.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
