Energy in the Central African Republic is a growing industry with plenty of potential.
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Hydroelectricity
Electric power production totaled 103 GWh in 2002, with consumption at 96 GWh for that same year. The capital city of Bangui is supplied by two hydroelectric generators and one thermal plant. A new dam on the Mbali River (a joint project with Democratic Republic of the Congo), which permits year-round hydroelectric generation, opened in late 1991. Total generating capacity was 40 MW in 2002, with thermal sources accounting for 21 MW and hydroelectric at 19 MW for that year.
Oil and gas
Exxon drilled an exploratory oil well in 1985, but further work was deemed economically infeasible. Any oil production would depend on the connection of a pipeline from Chad to Douala, Cameroon.
In 2002, the Central African Republic's average daily fuel imports included 610 barrels of distillate fuel oil, 590 barrels of jet fuel, 530 barrels of kerosene, and 470 barrels of gasoline. As of 2002, the country has no known reserves of oil, natural gas or coal.