Name and Location
Ruzizi III hydropower project, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi and Rwanda.

Project Description
The project involves the construction of a new subregional hydroelectric power plant, 25 km downstream of the Ruzizi river, between the DRC, Burundi and Rwanda.

The facility is planned to generate 145 MW of hydroelectric power and it is expected to play a critical role in reducing the impact of power shortages in all the three countries.

The project represents the first public–private partnership (PPP) energy engagement in the Great Lakes region.

Ruzizi III will be the third hydropower development on the river. The existing 29.8 MW Ruzizi I (built in 1959) is located 3 km downstream from the outlet of Lake Kivu. Ruzizi II, which was commissioned in 1989, has a capacity of 43.8 MW. Another development, Ruzizi IV, is currently in the prefeasibility stage and is proposed to generate 287 MW of energy.

Ruzizi III will be developed on a build-operate-transfer basis to be awarded jointly by the associated governments, under a PPP structure with about 50% of the financing to be provided by development institutions.

Value
The project has an estimated cost of €450-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Client
Communauté Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs, represented by Énergie des Grands Lacs (EGL), on behalf of the governments of the DRC, Burundi and Rwanda.

EGL is a regional organisation responsible for the elaboration of the strategy for energy development in the Great Lakes region.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Union (EU) (financing); and Fichtner (technical and organisational studies).

Latest Developments
In early July 2011, the EIB committed itself to preparing the financial aspect of the project, marking the start of a second stage of financial preparations for the project in its entirety.

The EIB and the EU have played a leading role in bringing together the political and financial support for the project, as well as examining the technical, institutional and financial feasibility of building the plant on the Ruzizi river.

The project has the potential to transform the availability of energy for an estimated 107-million people living in the Great Lakes region. Energy use in the region is currently dominated by the use of charcoal and electrification can contribute significantly to the economic development of the area.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
EIB, Richard Willis, tel +352 43 79 82155 or email r.willis@eib.org.
EGL, tel +257 22 22 5504, fax +257 22 22 4157 or email egl@cninf.com; or
GM Pierre Muzyumba Mwanahembe, tel +257 22 22 5504 or email egl@onatel.bi.