Energy, EU strengthens access to electricity in the Virunga area

Today the Commission announces an additional € 20 million to finance a new power plant in Rwanguba, which will provide another 15 Megawatts of electricity. The European Union’s swift response to the urgent environmental crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo helped restore up to 96% of the power lines and 35% of the water pipes damaged in Goma due to the Nyiragongo volcano eruption on 22 May. This has allowed half a million people to access clean water and have electricity in two major hospitals. Speaking at the European Development Days panel on Virunga, Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said: “Access to electricity saves lives and is crucial for economic and human development in this vulnerable region. This is why the European Union reacted quickly to support the population affected by the recent Nyiragongo volcanic eruption. With these additional 20 million euros, we will increase the supply, more families and schools and we will offer opportunities for sustainable growth ”.