Virunga Energies

Virunga Energies SAU was founded in 2013 as a subsidiary of Virunga Foundation, the foundation that manages Virunga National Park. It produces, distributes and markets clean and renewable hydroelectric energy that facilitates socio-economic development in the areas surrounding Virunga National Park.

Virunga Energies is a commercial business with a social mission. Its revenues allow it to cover its operational and maintenance costs, conduct its public service missions (most notably public street lighting), increase its supply and widen the electric grid. Over $120m have been invested since 2013. As a pioneer of a new energy model, the company was the first in eastern DRC to benefit from a loan from an investment bank.

Today, Virunga Energies is active in the territories of Beni, Lubero, Rutshuru, Nyiragongo and in Goma city.

Throughout its existence, Virunga Energies has benefited from financial support from the European Union, The Schmidt Family Foundation, The World We Want and British International Investment.

Thanks to its various hydroelectric power plants (Matebe 13.2 MW, Mutwanga 1.4 MW, Luviro 14.6 MW, and recently, Rwanguba, 14 MW for its first turbine (commissioned in May 2025), the company has become the leading electricity provider in the province, supplying affordable energy even to remote areas of North Kivu and significantly improving the quality of life for the inhabitants of these territories. Virunga Energies’ customers include households, small and large businesses.

As part of its social mission, Virunga Energies installs public street lighting and powers it free of charge in villages and towns connected to its grid, thereby contributing to the reduction of insecurity. It also connects social and state infrastructure (hospitals, schools, courthouses, etc.) to the grid.

Our Impact
  • 2009
  • 2013
    September
  • 2015
    December
  • 2016
    February
  • 2019
    March
  • 2019
    April
  • 2020
    May
  • 2020
    September
  • 2021
    Q3
  • 2021
    Q4
  • 2022
    August
  • 2022
    September
  • 2023
    July
  • 2023
    September
  • 2024
    October
  • Photo credit: Bobby Neptune
    2009
    Pilot hydro-electrical plant project in Mutwanga with support of EU
  • Photo credit: Hugh Cunningham
    2013
    September
    Virunga Energies is incorporated
  • Photo credit: Bobby Neptune
    2015
    December
    Matebe hydroplant (13.2MW) is commissioned
  • Photo credit: Bobby Neptune
    2016
    February
    First households connected in Rutshuru
  • Photo credit: Bobby Neptune
    2019
    March
    Mutwanga turbine (1.3MW) is commissioned
  • Photo credit: Virunga Energies
    2019
    April
    Goma network construction started, with the support of EU and WB
  • Photo credit: Virunga Energies
    2020
    May
    26 zones of the Goma network commissioned
  • Photo credit: Virunga Energies
    2020
    September
    Luviro hydroplant (14.6MW) commissioned
  • Photo credit: Virunga Energies
    2021
    Q3
    Over 20,000 customers connected
  • Photo credit: Virunga Energies
    2021
    Q4
    First Lubero clients connected. New Ruwanguba construction starting
  • Photo credit: Virunga Energies
    2022
    August
    Low and medium tension posts are unloaded and stored at the CCLK site
  • Photo credit: Virunga Energies
    2022
    September
    Start of the hole boring in the project areas
  • Photo credit: Virunga Energies
    2023
    July
    Completion of the fourth phase of the project to electrify Goma City and inauguration of the project by the Vice-Governor of the province of North Kivu
  • Photo credit: Virunga Energies
    2023
    September
    Work continues to progress well on Rwanguba despite the difficulties in the region linked to the M23
  • Photo credit: Virunga Energies
    2024
    October
    Virunga Energies has handed over the water network built with funding from the European Union through UNICEF DRC. A total of 14 water Fontains are now operational in Nyiragongo territory, benefiting more than 100,000 inhabitants who had never before had access to drinking water.

Explore