Name and Location
Inga X project, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Project Description
The project involves the construction of a 2 500-MW hydropower plant on the Congo river to support BHP Billiton's proposed aluminium smelter, in the DRC. The smelter will be 150 km away from the power plant and will process two-million tons a year of alumina into 800 000 t of aluminium.
Value
$3,5-billion.
Duration
The two-year feasibility study is expected to be implemented from mid-2011 to mid-2013, with construction expected to start in June 2014. The hydropower plant is scheduled to be powered up in 2018, at the same time as the smelter.
Client
BHP Billiton.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.
Latest Developments
The project will replace a 5 000-MW Western Power Corridor project, which was rejected by the DRC government in February 2010.
On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.
Contact Details for Project Information
BHP Billiton investor relations, Andre Liebenberg, tel +44 20 7802 4131, cell +44 7920 236 974 or email andre.liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com.