Rwanda has announced plans to partner with its neighbours in an effort to accele- rate the construction of two hydropower plants as part of a $6-billion energy expansion programme.

The East African country intends to partner with Burundi, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the construction of two hydropower plants with a combined gene- ration capacity of 235 MW.

The two projects are the $565-million 145 MW Rusizi III project on the Rusizi river, which will be developed in partnership with Burundi and DRC, and the $400-million 90 MW Rusumo Falls project, to be developed in partnership with Burundi and Tanzania.

Implementation of the Rusizi project, however, could be affected by friction between the two countries after the DRC accused Rwanda of fuelling the war being waged by the M23 rebel group in the eastern part of the country.

Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, has told Parliament that these projects form part of an ambitious five-year energy generation and accessibility programme aimed at increasing the country’s installed capacity to 1 000 MW by 2017.

These investments will not only enable Rwanda to tackle its severe electricity shortages and power its fast-expanding economy, but could also see the country export excess electricity to its neighbours.

“By 2017, around 800 MW could be enough to meet local demand and we hope to export the reserve of 200 MW,” he said.

Over the next five years, Rwanda intends to invest between $5-billion and $6-billion to install 300 MW of geothermal, 300 MW of methane and 330 MW of hydro generation capacity, making the country energy self-sufficient.

The country is already implementing some of the projects, including the $110-million Nyabarongo hydroelectric power plant, which has capacity to generate 28 MW and is slated for completion in February 2014.
Also to be completed in 2014 – in March – is the $142-million 25 MW KivuWatt methane project.

The country aims to add some 6.4 MW to the national grid by the end of this year, when hydro projects in various parts of the country come on stream.

While Rwanda is the fastest-growing economy in East Africa, at an average of 7% a year, according to the World Bank, the country’s electricity output currently stands at a paltry 100 MW. Only 11% of the ten-million-strong population have access to electricity.

Hydropower accounts for 59% of the installed capacity, with thermal generation accounting for 40% and methane gas the balance.