Dam plan busted? World's biggest hydropower project in the balance

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🗞️ Driving the news: The Grand Inga Dam, envisioned as the world's largest hydropower project on the Congo River, faces significant delays and obstacles despite decades of planning
• With a projected $80 billion cost, the dam promises to generate twice the electricity of China's Three Gorges Dam
• However, concerns over governance, funding challenges, environmental harm, and equitable energy distribution have stalled progress

🔭 The context: Planned to power much of Africa, the Grand Inga Dam has attracted global partners like the World Bank, which recently re-engaged after withdrawing in 2016, but also lost major backing from China's Three Gorges Corporation
• Critics argue the project disproportionately benefits foreign buyers and mining companies over the 80% of Congolese citizens lacking electricity
• Previous projects, Inga I and II, suffered from neglect and caused displacement without compensation

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: If realized, the Grand Inga Dam could contribute significantly to renewable energy goals and electrify vast areas of Africa
• However, the environmental and social costs, including biodiversity loss and forced relocations, pose serious sustainability challenges
• Addressing these issues will be critical to achieving equitable climate benefits

⏭️ What's next: The project’s future hinges on securing funding and resolving governance and coordination issues among stakeholders
• Environmental impact assessments and displacement mitigation plans are required but remain underfunded
• Construction could begin by 2026 if barriers are overcome, but the timeline remains uncertain

💬 One quote: "The Grand Inga is like a serpent—it is up, down, visible, not visible," - José Ángel González Tausz, a partner in the project

📈 One stat: The Grand Inga Dam is expected to generate up to 40,000MW of electricity—enough to power New York City during summer

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