Name and Location
Rusumo Falls hydroelectric project, Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Client
The power plant will be jointly financed and owned by the governments of Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania. A special-purpose vehicle – the Rusumo Power Company – jointly owned by the three governments, will be the owner of the hydropower plant facilities.

The associated transmission lines will be owned by each country’s respective power utility and will be separately financed by the respective countries with a loan from the African Development Bank and others.

Project Description
The aim of the 80 MW Rusumo Falls hydroelectric project is to increase the supply of electricity to the national grids of Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.

There are five project components.

The first component comprises civil works for access to and the construction of power facilities, offices and housing.

The second component encompasses mechanical and electrical works for hydromechanical equipment, turbine-generator sets and auxiliaries, generation substations, as well as power complex control and communications equipment.

The third component will finance the environmental and social management plan (ESMP) and the resettlement action plan (RAP).

The fourth component will finance the owner’s engineers to assist with the overall project management and implementation of the ESMP and RAP.

The final component consists of the construction of three transmission lines from Rusumo to Gitega, in Burundi; Kigali, in Rwanda; and Nyakanazi, in Tanzania.

These transmission lines will connect the power station at Rusumo with the national grids of Rwanda and Burundi and supply electricity to the western mining provinces of Tanzania.

Value
$469-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The World Bank has approved $340-million for the Rusumo Falls hydroelectric project – $113.3-million for each government.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
World Bank (loan finance).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
World Bank, tel +1 202 458 4500 or fax +1 202 522 1500.