Ivanhoe Mines Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President and Chief Executive Officer Marna Cloete are delighted to announce that the first 50 megawatts (MW) of clean, hydroelectric power from the newly refurbished 178-MW Turbine #5 at the Inga II dam is now being received at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex. The feed of hydroelectric power, from Inga II to Kamoa Kakula, is expected to increase to 100 MW in Q1 2026 and then increase to 150 MW as grid improvements are completed.
Installation of replacement mechanical and electrical equipment at Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydroelectric facility was completed in Q3 2025, followed by synchronisation and energization of Turbine #5 in early Q4 2025. The newly refurbished Turbine #5 has since ramped up to full capacity, delivering approximately 180 MW of clean, hydroelectric power into the DRC grid. Of the 180 MW being delivered into the grid, Kamoa-Kakula is currently receiving an initial 50 MW, bringing its total domestically sourced power to approximately 110 MW. Hydroelectric power delivery to Kamoa-Kakula, from Turbine #5, is expected to increase to 100 MW in Q1 2026 and to 150 MW thereafter as grid upgrades are completed.
The grid improvement initiatives primarily focus on upgrades to substations at Inga (SCI) and Kolwezi (SCK). The first upgrade, consisting of resistor banks at the Inga substation, was completed in May 2025. Corresponding resistor upgrades at the Kolwezi substation are expected to be completed imminently, improving voltage stability to Kamoa-Kakula. In addition, the static compensator at the Kolwezi substation is scheduled to be completed in early Q1 2026, increasing the power delivery from Inga II to the Kamoa-Kakula up to 100 MW. The remaining workstreams to upgrade the filter banks at SCI and SCK will occur in phases over the next 18 months, ultimately increasing the total power received from Turbine #5 to 150 MW during H1 2027.
Representatives from DRC state-owned power utility, Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL), engineering and construction contractors Gruner Stucky AG and VOITH, and Kamoa Copper, standing on top of the recently refurbished Turbine #5, inside the turbine hall at the Inga II hydroelectric facility.
Watch the video summarizing over 10 years of partnership with the DRC state utility, SNEL, in refurbishment and return to operation of 250 MW of clean, hydropower capacity
