SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Symbion commits $700 M for methane power plant tied to DRC-Rwanda peace deal

Symbion Power announces a $700 M investment for a 140 MW plant on Lake Kivu, contingent on full enforcement of the cease-fire signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

Symbion Power LLC, a New York-based independent power producer, has confirmed a $700 M commitment (about €648 M) to develop a 140 MW methane power plant on the Congolese shore of Lake Kivu. The announcement marks the largest private energy investment ever declared in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. However, its implementation depends on the full enforcement of the Washington Accord of June 27, 2025, which provides for a cease-fire and troop withdrawal between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

An expanded project compared to initial plans
In January 2023, Symbion won a tender to operate the Makelele gas block, with an initial plan for 60 MW and a budget estimated at $300 M. These figures still appear on the company’s website and in parliamentary records. The announced expansion now merges this concession with an adjacent area, doubling the planned capacity and raising the budget to $700 M, representing a 133% increase in both cost and size.

An economic lever linked to the peace process
According to the United States Department of State, the project could be eligible for guarantees from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) once the withdrawal of Rwandan forces and M23 rebels from Goma and surrounding areas is confirmed. This approach aligns with the logic of the Washington Accord, which calls for mobilising private capital to consolidate the cease-fire.

Potential impact on national electrification
The initial 60 MW plan was already the largest methane exploitation licence ever awarded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Symbion estimated that such a plant could increase the national electrification rate, currently around 19%, by two percentage points once connected to the fragile North Kivu grid. The expanded 140 MW version could cover more than 5% of the national target of adding 2.5 GW of capacity by 2030.

Symbion’s Chief Executive Officer Paul Hinks reiterated that the project’s launch remains dependent on stability in the region, stating that the Congolese government must control Goma and ensure peace to allow construction.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Dozens of scientists denounce climate report deemed biased by US Department of Energy
Putin asks Slovakia to block energy flows to Ukraine
Mondi invests €120mn in biomass power plant in Slovakia to cut energy reliance
Bangladesh finalises memorandum with Aramco for LNG supply deals
Virya Energy launches 7,001 m² solar plant in Toulouse with Tisséo
Egypt commits $343mn to new gas drilling to support supply
The Egyptian government signs four exploration agreements for ten gas wells, allocating $343mn to limit the impact of the rapid decline in national production.
Hungary receives over 5 bn m³ of Russian gas via TurkStream in 2024
Hungary has imported over 5 billion cubic metres of Russian natural gas since January via TurkStream, under its long-term agreements with Gazprom, thereby supporting its national energy infrastructure.
United States clears Rio Grande and Commonwealth LNG toward final decisions
U.S. regulators have approved two major milestones for Rio Grande LNG and Commonwealth LNG, clarifying their investment decision timelines and reinforcing the country’s role in expanding global liquefaction capacity.
Hokkaido Gas readies 2027: LNG tender and volumes
Hokkaido Gas is adjusting its liquefied natural gas procurement strategy with a multi-year tender and a long-term agreement, leveraging Ishikari’s capacity and price references used in the Asian market. —
KOGAS signs 3.3 mtpa of US LNG for ten years starting in 2028
Korea Gas Corporation commits to 3.3 mtpa of US LNG from 2028 for ten years, complementing new contracts to cover expired volumes and diversify supply sources and price indexation.
CTCI wins TWD29.6bn contract for LNG regasification unit at Kaohsiung
CTCI strengthens its position in Taiwan with a new EPC contract for a regasification unit at the Kaohsiung LNG terminal, with a capacity of 1,600 tonnes per hour.
Exxon expects 20% increase in global natural gas demand by 2050
Exxon Mobil forecasts sustained growth in global natural gas demand by 2050, driven by industrial use and rising energy needs in developing economies.
Capstone secures 5.8 MW order in Mexico with major food manufacturer
Capstone Green Energy received a 5.8-megawatt order for its natural gas microturbines, to be deployed across multiple food production facilities in Mexico through regional distributor DTC Machinery.
Harvest Midstream acquires MPLX gas assets in western US for $1bn
Private firm Harvest Midstream has signed a $1 billion acquisition deal with MPLX for gas processing and transport infrastructure across three western US states.
Sempra Infrastructure and EQT sign 20-year deal for Texan LNG supply
Sempra Infrastructure and EQT Corporation have signed a 20-year liquefied natural gas purchase agreement, consolidating Phase 2 of the Port Arthur LNG project in Texas and strengthening the United States’ position in the global LNG market.
Subsea7 secures offshore contract up to $1.25bn with TP-OTC in the Black Sea
Subsea7 was selected to lead phase 3 of the Sakarya gas field, a strategic contract for Türkiye’s energy supply valued between $750mn and $1.25bn.
Japan challenges China’s installation of 21 gas platforms in the East China Sea
Tokyo protests against Chinese installations deemed unilateral in a disputed maritime zone, despite a bilateral agreement stalled since 2010.
Bp awards Baker Hughes a 90-month contract for Tangguh LNG in Indonesia
Bp has awarded Baker Hughes a long-term service agreement for the Tangguh liquefied natural gas plant, covering spare parts, maintenance and technical support for its turbomachinery equipment.
Sinopec deploys 65,000 Sercel sensors for 3D seismic survey in Mexico
Chinese group Sinopec has launched a large-scale seismic imaging campaign across 3,000 km² in Mexico using nodal technology from Sercel, owned by Viridien, delivered in August to map areas with complex terrain.
CNOOC signs two gas exploration contracts in Indonesia with EnQuest and Agra
CNOOC Limited has signed two production sharing contracts with SKK Migas to explore the Gaea and Gaea II blocks in West Papua, alongside EnQuest and Agra.
AMIGO LNG signs 15-year deal with Macquarie for 0.6 MTPA of LNG
Australian group Macquarie partners with AMIGO LNG for an annual supply of 0.6 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas over fifteen years, with operations expected to start in 2028 from the Guaymas terminal in Mexico.
ONEOK and partners launch Eiger Express project to link Permian to Gulf
A consortium led by ONEOK is developing a 450-mile pipeline to transport up to 2.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day from the Permian Basin to the Gulf Coast.
AMIGO LNG awards Drydocks World the construction of the world’s largest FLNG
AMIGO LNG has awarded Drydocks World a major EPC contract to build the world’s largest floating LNG liquefaction terminal, aimed at strengthening exports to Asia and Latin America.
Canadian Utilities secures AUC approval for Yellowhead gas pipeline project
The Alberta Utilities Commission approves the Need Assessment Application for the Yellowhead Pipeline, marking a key step for Canadian Utilities, a subsidiary of ATCO. The project foresees significant economic benefits for the province.
Nigeria LNG Signs 20-Year Deal to Secure 1.29 Billion Cubic Feet of Gas
Nigeria LNG signs major deals with oil groups to ensure gas supply to its liquefaction infrastructure over two decades.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: $99 for the 1styear year, then $ 199/year.

SUBSCRIBE - €99