Green energy and solidarity in the Republic of Congo with Pot@maï

In a region where 90% of the rural population suffers from a chronic lack of electricity, the Foundation and its partners are developing an unprecedented programme offering access to green energy for the residents of Loubassa, a village approximately 10 km from Brazzaville. The aim? To build and develop a floating tidal turbine capable of powering an essential services unit (ESU) in Lyon, then install it on the Congo River to supply power to almost 3,000 villagers – a first in Africa! This ESU will improve the residents' living conditions and activities in a sustainable manner, as well as fostering an economic and social dynamism: drinking water, access to electricity, transformation of agricultural and fishing products, cold storage, communications, machines and tools for craftspeople, and much more. This site will also be used to train and provide jobs for young craftspeople and farmers. 

Since February 2019, the ENGIE Foundation has partnered with Pot@maï, a French non-profit organisation specialising in renewable energies, L'Aquaphile, a French supplier of floating tidal turbines and Aide à l’Enfance, a Congolese non-profit organisation that helps vulnerable young people. The Foundation has contributed to the financing for building the essential services unit (ESU) and missions to install the floating tidal turbine, coordinate projects and train local staff.