Inga–Shaba HVDC
The 900 million dollar INGA-SHABA ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT in the Republic of Zaire, today the Democratic Republic of Congo, was the result of arduous, intricate negotiations over a period of more than three years in the pre-feasibility stage, involving several competing nations. Morrison-Knudsen International, an American engineering and construction firm, was ultimately selected as the prime contractor for the project.
The Inga-Shaba Extra High Voltage D.C. Intertie, as it was officially called, represented one of the United States of America's most prestigious third world commitments of the 1970s and 1980s. However, construction progress was plagued by rebel insurgency in Southern Zaire, massive logistical challenges, cost overruns, and financing delays.
The project was nevertheless dedicated in 1982 at Kolwezi by Neal Spencer, MKI Executive Vice President, Munga Mibindo, President Delegate General of the National Electrical Utility, and Arthur Madsen, the Project's Chief Translator.
Briefly, the ten-year project entailed design and construction of a 1700 kilometer electrical transmission line from the mouth of the Congo River, specifically from the Inga Dam, one of Africa's three largest hydroelectric complexes, to the distant copper mining region then known as Shaba, today Katanga. It featured switching stations at Tombagadio, Kitwit, and Kananga prior to delivering power to the Kolwezi Inverter Station.
"Inga-Shaba" was the nickname given to this project, which, operating initially at only 10% of capacity, first delivered power in 1982.
This scheme, equipped with modern thyristor technology provided by Swedish subcontractor ASEA, was designed to transmit 560 megawatts, in the first phase, at a symmetrical bipolar voltage of +/-500 kilovolts. At 1700 kilometers, it is the longest EHVDC transmission line to date, except for one in Siberia. Because the line runs through relatively inaccessible terrain, an unusually broad right-of-way was cleared, at considerable expense, to ensure tower integrity.