A relentless tide of plastic waste clogging the Ruzizi dam in eastern Congo is causing frequent power outages in cities like Bukavu, disrupting businesses and livelihoods. The dam, located at the southern end of Lake Kivu on the Rwanda-Congo border, supplies electricity to several major cities but is struggling to function under the weight of accumulating plastic debris.
“This waste effectively blocks the water, reducing the pressure and speed needed for the machines to operate,” explained Ljovy Mulemangabo, provincial director of Congo’s national power company, SNEL.
Daily efforts to remove plastic bottles, jerry cans, and other debris from the dam’s machinery offer temporary relief, but the waste quickly accumulates again, leading to shutdowns that last for hours. Heavy rainfall worsens the situation, washing plastics from the mountainous terrain into the lake.
Didier Kabi, the provincial minister of environment and green economy, is spearheading efforts to address the crisis. He advocates for mandatory household waste collection to prevent plastics from entering the lake. “This will help ensure waste is managed at the household level,” Kabi told Reuters.
The challenge runs deeper than surface cleaning, as waste builds up to depths of 14 meters in the riverbed. Divers are needed to clear submerged debris and prevent turbine blockages.
The outages are taking a toll on local businesses. “Our bosses are pressuring us due to delays in completing their orders, and we don’t know what to do,” said Alex Mbilizi, a metalworker in Bukavu.
As authorities grapple with this environmental and energy crisis, finding a sustainable solution remains crucial to restoring reliable power to the region.
