Civil works at the site of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant in Karongi District are 95 percent complete, according to Stephen Tierney. The plant, being developed by Gasmeth, will supply CNG for industrial use, vehicles, and cooking. ALSO READ: More 100 MW to be generated from Lake Kivu methane - RDB CNG is a type of fuel made mainly of methane gas, compressed at very high pressure so it can be stored in cylinders and used as a cleaner alternative to petrol or diesel. Civil works on site are the construction activities carried out at a project location to prepare, build, or modify the physical environment and infrastructure. They involve the construction of physical infrastructure and the preparation of a site before operational systems are installed. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s biggest methane power plant connected to national grid They mainly focus on activities such as land preparation, laying foundations, constructing buildings, roads, and drainage systems, as well as developing concrete and other structural works necessary to support the overall project. They will be followed by installation and operation of industrial equipment and machinery used in a plant or factory. “All long-lead items are in manufacturing, and the first batch of main hulls for the offshore barge is nearing completion at the shipyard. The barge hull is ready for delivery. Civil works on site are 95% complete, and construction of the onshore compression plant is yet to begin,” he said. An onshore compression plant is a land-based industrial facility where gas is compressed to increase its pressure before it is transported, stored, or distributed. He noted that commissioning is scheduled for the third quarter of 2028. Currently, around 250 people are employed directly and indirectly by the project. That number is expected to rise to between 600 and 800 workers by end of 2026 as construction intensifies. ALSO READ: Major methane gas exploitation projects on Lake Kivu The project’s total budget is projected at $560 million.
