Global GridThe Democratic Republic of the Congo's energy mix and electricity
🇨🇩 In 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo generated 15.9 TWh of electricity. The largest source was hydro at 84%, followed by solar (16%). In total, 100% came from low-carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) and 0% from fossil fuels.
On average, each kilowatt hour produced about 28 grams of carbon dioxide (CO₂), far below the world average of 458 grams in 2025. That makes the Democratic Republic of the Congo the 6th cleanest of 158 countries that generate at least 1 TWh a year.
Electricity demand was 17.4 TWh. The Democratic Republic of the Congo imported 1.44 TWh more electricity than it exported, equal to 8.3% of its demand.
Since 2000, electricity generation has grown by 168%, from 5.94 TWh. The low-carbon share went from 100% to 100%. The biggest rise was in solar, from 0% to 16% of generation. The biggest fall was in hydro, from 100% to 84%.
Live, hour-by-hour figures for the Democratic Republic of the Congo are not connected yet. The dashboard shows its yearly figures, energy mix since 2000 and interconnector trade.
Energy mix in 2024
- Hydro 84%
- Solar 16%
- Bioenergy 0.1%
| Source | Share | Generated |
|---|---|---|
| Hydro | 84% | 13.4 TWh |
| Solar | 16% | 2.51 TWh |
| Bioenergy | 0.1% | 0.02 TWh |
Energy security score
Strong. The Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks 39th of 158 countries and 5th of 35 in Africa. The score shows how well a country could keep electricity affordable and on if fuel supplies were disrupted. It is based on 4 of the 5 measures.
| Measure | Score |
|---|---|
| Produces its own energy No reliable figure exists for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so this measure is left out and the other four count for more. | n/a |
| Variety of power sources How evenly generation is spread across nine sources. The largest, hydro, made 84%. | 30 |
| Little reliance on imported power Net imports were 8.3% of demand; each 1% takes off 2 points. | 83 |
| Low-carbon power Nuclear and renewables made 100% of generation. | 100 |
| Low gas and oil use Gas and oil made 0% of generation; the score is 100 minus that share. | 100 |
The five measures are weighted 30%, 20%, 20%, 15% and 15%. How the score works.
How it has changed
| Year | Generated | Low-carbon | Fossil | CO₂ g/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5.94 TWh | 100% | 0% | 24 |
| 2005 | 7.33 TWh | 100% | 0% | 25 |
| 2010 | 7.83 TWh | 99% | 1% | 31 |
| 2015 | 8.84 TWh | 100% | 0% | 25 |
| 2020 | 12.5 TWh | 100% | 0% | 25 |
| 2023 | 15.6 TWh | 100% | 0% | 27 |
| 2024 | 15.9 TWh | 100% | 0% | 28 |
Questions about the Democratic Republic of the Congo's energy
What is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's energy mix?
In 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's electricity came from hydro 84% and solar 16%.
How much of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's electricity is renewable?
100% of its electricity came from renewables in 2024 (hydro 84% and solar 16%).
What is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's main source of electricity?
Hydro, which made 84% of its electricity in 2024.
How clean is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's electricity?
About 28 grams of CO₂ for each kilowatt hour in 2024, far below the world average of 458 grams. It ranks 6th cleanest of 158 countries that generate at least 1 TWh a year.
Does the Democratic Republic of the Congo import electricity?
Yes: in 2024 it imported 1.44 TWh more than it exported, 8.3% of its demand.
How secure is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's energy supply?
Global Grid's energy security score for the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 75 out of 100 (strong), 39th of 158 countries. It looks at how much of its own energy it produces, how varied its power sources are, its reliance on imported power and its use of low-carbon power, gas and oil.
Other countries in Africa
Sources: Ember yearly electricity data (CC BY 4.0), figures up to 2024. Ember's latest-year figures are first estimates and may be revised. TWh: terawatt hours (one billion kWh).