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In East Africa, the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has recently sponsored feasibility studies and provided technical assistance for potential small hydropower projects in Rwanda.
According to the USTDA, several run-of-the-river hydropower projects will be constructed during Rwanda’s spring and summer 2016 season, as a result of these efforts.
Hydropower developments to boost electrification rate
Currently there is an estimated 13 per cent household electrification rate in Rwanda, according to the Rwanda Development Board.
Several run-of-the-river hydropower projects will be constructed in Rwanda in spring and summer 2016
The development of these hydropower plants, which will range from under 1MW to 4.5MW, will provide reliable electricity at affordable costs to those marginalized off-grid communities in rural northern Rwanda, including the Musanze District.
Recent hydropower progress
The east African country continues to bolster efforts and encourage partnerships to develop hydropower projects across the country.
In March 2016, a $24.17 million financing agreement was signed with the African Development Bank (AfDB) in support of the regional 147MW Ruzizi III hydropower plant (HPP).
The Ruzizi III plant is a regional project shared by Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The generated power will be shared equally amongst the three participating countries. Rwanda will get around 50MW of power.
In the same month, media reported that Rwandan renewable energy company, Ngali Energy, is preparing to develop the 2MW Ntaruka hydropower dam in the Nyaruguru district.
This project is expected to be completed in 2018.