How did an isolated town in North Kivu overcome its energy challenges to enter a new era of development?
Walikale, nestled in the heart of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was facing many challenges in terms of access to electrical energy. Despite its natural wealth and economic potential, the town was limited by a lack of reliable energy systems, hampering economic activities and the quality of life of its inhabitants.
Before GoShop's intervention, the people of Walikale were living in darkness, literally and metaphorically. The lack of a stable energy infrastructure hampered local businesses, limited essential public services and made daily life difficult for residents. It was against this backdrop that Nduma Kasha, with the visionary initiative of Minister Rubens Mikindo Muhima, decided to collaborate with GoShop to change this reality.
Walikale is located in a dense and often inaccessible region of North Kivu. The town and its surrounding area have immense economic potential thanks to their natural resources, but this potential remained largely untapped due to energy constraints.
GoShop took charge of the construction and commissioning of a modern power plant, accompanied by a distribution line initially serving 240 connections. But GoShop's commitment didn't stop with setting up the infrastructure. A dedicated team accompanied Nduma Kasha for three months to ensure optimal management of this new energy source.
Technical details of the project include :
- Customers installed: 240 single-phase and three-phase meters
- Panels installed: 80 x 400 W = 32 kWp
- Available storage: 10 x 5 kWh = 50 kVa
- DC to AC converter: 3 Quattro of 15 kVa for a three-phase grid of 45 kVa
- Mains converter: Fronius 27 kW
Thanks to this intervention, hundreds of households in Walikale now benefit from stable, reliable energy, considerably improving their daily lives. The initiative also enabled local technicians to be trained in plant operation, meter management and fraud prevention, ensuring greater autonomy and sustainability.
GoShop provided detailed graphs on the status of loads and consumption, enabling Nduma Kasha to maximize revenue collection and optimize the use of the energy produced. This project not only improves the present, but also paves the way for future expansion beyond the initial 240 connections.
The collaboration between GoShop and Nduma Kasha symbolizes an important step towards a brighter future for Walikale. The newly acquired energy stability supports not only local economic development but also a better quality of life for its residents. What's more, GoShop has ensured a return on investment for Nduma Kasha, demonstrating the efficiency and sustainability of the project.
Walikale, once plunged into energy uncertainty, is now emerging as a model of transformation thanks to a shared vision and effective partnership. The efforts of GoShop and Nduma Kasha show how innovative solutions and community involvement can overcome the most complex challenges.