Rwandais set to import over 400MW of power from neighbouring countries to increase its energy capacity.

Jean Bosco Mugiraneza, the chief executive of Rwanda Energy Group, said Rwanda had reached an agreement with Ethiopia for the former to import 400MW. He added that the country will also import 30MW from Kenya in 2015.

"We have signed the contracts and are currently upgrading our substations and power lines to accommodate the extra 30MW from Kenya and 400MW we expect to get from Ethiopia,” Mugiraneza said.

Mugiraneza, however, did not say when Ethiopia will start supplying power to Rwanda.

Rwanda’s current installed capacity is 119MW and government targets 563MW by 2017.

Already 28MW from Nyabarongo power project was expected to come on line yesterday.

According to Germaine Kamayirese, State Minister for Energy, the national power generation capacity is expected to increase by 61.5MW by 2015, when projects, such as Nyabarongo I (28MW), Kivuwatt 25MW, Gishoma Peat Plant (15MW) and Giggawatt Solar power plant 8.5MW are connected on the national grid.

Other projects envisaged to come soon include the 100MW Nyabarongo II of hydro-power and 50MW from methane gas project on Lake Kivu.

Private sector welcomes the initiative

Gerald Mukubu, the Private Sector Federation acting chief executive officer, said the more the country’s energy capacity, the lower the cost of doing business in Rwanda.

"Access to affordable energy is critical for investment and economic development,” he said. 

Expert advice

According to energy experts, it’s important for Rwanda to invest more in renewable energy.

"While it’s important to increase energy capacity, it’s critical that we start considering our engagement in renewable energy, such as bio-gas and solar energy. These initiatives will be a game-changer in terms of cost and access to power,” Innocent Niyibizi, the managing director of Isoko Foundation and a renewable energy research, said. 

Government allocated Rwf25.7 billion for the construction of transmission lines, Rwf21.9 billion for the electricity rollout programme and Rwf17.7 billion geothermal resources development in this year’s national budget.