NEW POWERPLANT SIGNALS THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF POWER RATIONING IN RWANDA
(Posted 21st September 2015)
Reports from Rwanda indicated that the first flaring tests run by the new ‘Kivu Watt’ methane gas power plant went according to plan, following an equipment malfunction a few weeks ago. After re-installing a critical component of the machinery was the plant prepared for a ‘test drive’ last week and the flaring of the gas went according to plan. The company has confirmed that by mid-October an initial 25 MW will be fed into the national grid before over the space of the next year an additional three phases of expansion will gradually quadruple the electricity generated.
The new Lake Kivu based power station is a world first of its kind, tapping into massive methane gas deposits deep under the lake water. Seen as environmentally friendly will the new power station, when fully operational, produce 100 MW of electricity, sharply raising Rwanda’s present generating capacity which stands at just over 160 MW.
Electricity shortages have often been cited as a major constraint in expanding the economy and while several smaller standalone mini hydro power plant have been installed was this not enough to meet the fast growing demand for electricity.
Tapping into the methane gas deposits through a lake based power plant is a global first and again positions Rwanda at the cutting edge of development.
‘Power outages are expensive for hotels. We need constant power supply to keep our freezers and fridges running. Air condition units need power, elevators need power. When the mains supply shuts down hotels have to use inhouse generators and diesel is expensive. The use of generators is a major cost factor and when the extra power starts flowing hoteliers will have less worries about financial sustainability. By the time the new national convention centre and the new hotels, Marriott, Radisson Blu and Ramada open up, the power situation should be much more balanced. It will allow Rwanda to confidently promote MICE business because power interruptions will be a thing of the past’ contributed a regular source from Kigali when passing the information.
Rwanda’s safari lodges, apart from the Ruzizi Safari Camp at the shores of Lake Ibeho inside Akagera National Park, as well as the lake side resorts long the shores of Lake Kivu, all use mains power and they too will no doubt look forward to a more steady power supply in the future.
