Last month, the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association hosted 19 power utility executives from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They were in Oregon on a mission sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to meet with U.S. organizations to promote exports and share best practices. It was a fascinating afternoon, and the executives were exceptionally curious about Oregon’s electric cooperatives and our state’s energy policy.
But, as it turned out, we learned a lot more from them than they did from us. We had extensive conversations with executives from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which represents 1 of the largest and deadliest humanitarian crises in the world. The largest country in Central Africa, the DRC has an estimated population of 81,000,000, but access to electricity in rural areas is at a paltry 1%. 6,000,000 people have died in the country’s civil war over the past 30 years, and 21,000,000 people are in urgent need of medicine, food, and other aid.
But because of their immense hydropower potential, they also have hope. Hydroelectric power is the main energy resource in the DRC, but a poorly developed transmission and distribution system, political instability, and persistent violence have constrained the ability to maximize its potential. Yet, it’s hard not to be inspired by their optimism about how hydropower will soon bring their citizens a better future.
We told the African representatives our federal hydroelectric system brought prosperity to this region and is still the backbone of our energy supply. But they seemed perplexed that instead of lifting up this incredible renewable resource, some of our leaders seek to tear it down. Or they resort to slower, more methodical ways, such as litigation, that make the resource more expensive and less attractive.
We wish the DRC well and support the efforts of NRECA International to bring electricity to the remote areas of this war-torn country. I have no doubt that with the right leadership and resources, the DRC can become an engine of growth for the entire continent. Because they understand the key to prosperity flows right through their country—and should never be taken for granted.
Executive Director Ted Case
