Delivering a generator to the DRC provinces: what to plan

MK Energies & Services delivers its generators and equipment in Kinshasa and to the other provinces of the DRC. For a delivery quote, give the town and address, truck access and the means of unloading on site. According to our data sheets, a 100 kVA soundproof set weighs 1,920 kg and a 500 kVA set 5,900 kg.

What do we need to know for a delivery to the provinces?

Six pieces of information are enough to prepare a quote for delivery in Kinshasa and to the provinces. Lead time and cost depend on the destination and the equipment, and are stated in your quote.

1. The town and the exact address, or GPS coordinates.
2. Truck access: road condition, bridges, gate and entrance width.
3. The means of unloading on site: a crane, a forklift or none.
4. The final position of the generator and its distance from the unloading point.
5. The delivery date you want.
6. Whether you need installation and commissioning.

How heavy is a generator and how much space does it take?

The weight of a Perkins-engine generator depends on its rating and its version. In this table, taken from our data sheets, it ranges from 375 kg for a 13 kVA open-frame set to 16,500 kg for a 1,000 kVA soundproof set.

Small air-cooled sets are easier to move. The Bison BS7500DSE measures 95 × 57 × 85 cm and weighs 151 kg. The Bison BS2500iS measures 58 × 34 × 50 cm and weighs 27 kg.

Above roughly one tonne, lifting equipment is needed. The quote sets out how it will be arranged. Each model's dimensions and weight are on its product page. See, for example, the 100 kVA set with a Perkins 1104C-44TAG2 engine or the 500 kVA set with a Perkins 2506A-E15TAG2 engine. The full range is on the diesel generators page.

Does a generator lose power at altitude in eastern and south-eastern DRC?

Yes, above 1,000 m. The air is thinner, so the engine delivers less power. A generator loses about 3.5% of its output for every 300 m above 1,000 m; our finder raises the required capacity to make up for it.

For example, a load that needs 100 kVA in Kinshasa needs about 106 kVA in Goma. The right set then moves up from 100 kVA to 135 kVA.

High heat also reduces output, by about 2% for every 5 °C above 40 °C, and the finder compensates in the same way.

Enter your site's altitude and temperature in the finder's “Site conditions” section. It takes them into account when you work out your generator size.

Do voltage and frequency change from one province to another?

No. The DRC grid runs at 50 Hz, with 220 V single-phase and 380 V three-phase. Our Perkins-engine sets supply 400/230 V or 380/220 V three-phase at 50 Hz. Single-phase circuits are spread across the three phases: see our guide to single-phase or three-phase generators.

Who installs and services the generator outside Kinshasa?

Tell us whether you need installation or servicing: we will tell you what is possible in your town. Before delivery, prepare the base and the location using our guide to installing a generator safely. Choosing between a soundproof and an open-frame set also changes the weight to transport: see our guide to soundproof or open-frame generators.

Ask for a delivery quote

Send us the town, the address, the access details and the model you want through our contact page. We will reply with a quote.

Sources: manufacturers' data sheets (Perkins engines, Bison generators), MK Energies finder calculation method.