Description
Project Name: Talihya-Nord I
Project Owner: ENK
Standard: Verra VCS
Project ID: 4184
In the cities of Butembo and Beni, where only 3% of the population has access to electricity and no national grid or utility services exist, Talihya is delivering a groundbreaking solution. For the first time, this pioneering project is bringing clean, renewable energy to 30,000 households, replacing scarce and polluting diesel generators.
Talihya’s green electricity is a game-changer for local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Butembo and Beni. Reliable power enables businesses to thrive, from small shops to growing startups, fostering job creation and economic growth. By providing affordable energy, ENK (project owner) is laying the foundation for a vibrant, self-sustaining economy, turning these cities into hubs of opportunity and innovation.
The arrival of electricity is reshaping daily life, with women reaping the greatest benefits. No longer burdened by fetching tens of kilos of charcoal over long distances multiple times a week, women save significant time and energy. Electric cooking solutions streamline meal preparation, while access to refrigerators and freezers allows for better food storage, improving nutrition and reducing waste. These changes empower women to pursue education, entrepreneurship, or family time, driving progress within households and communities.
ENK’s innovative prepayment system puts users in control, allowing real-time monitoring of energy consumption for better budget management. With no credit or debt collection, this user-friendly approach ensures affordability and transparency, making clean energy accessible to all. It’s a modern solution tailored to the needs of Butembo and Beni’s residents, fostering financial independence and trust.
Born from a public-private partnership between Energreen and the North Kivu province, ENK is a Congolese company with a bold mission: to produce and distribute renewable energy in electricity-deprived regions with high economic potential. By building and operating the power plant, along with establishing transmission and distribution networks, ENK is not just delivering power but also catalyzing sustainable development. Their focus on affordable, quality electricity supports businesses, households, and communities, positioning North Kivu as a beacon of progress.
Impact
The country has an enormous development potential thanks to a very abundant hydrological resource.
The project is taking full advantage of this potential by using it instead of going for a more complex source of energy production.
The plant was built through advanced technology transfer from industrialized countries.
The project was constructed with modern technology which are of a higher standard than many power plants in Africa.
Purchasing electricity from ENK allows households to make significant savings.
The electricity sold by ENK is two to three times cheaper than using electric generators.
In the region, around 3% of the population has access to electricity.
To date, 10,000 households have had access to an affordable and renewable energy.