Alternative fuel source for cement production

An alternative power generating source has been secured to increase cement production in the country. The plan confirmed on Monday by Juvenal Rutaganda, the Production Manager of Cimerwa, a cement factory, will use “peat” a coal like fossil fuel as another energy source. Rutaganda said research has been underway since last year to secure alternative energy to reduce dependence on diesel fuel to meet the factory’s huge energy demand. “The peat quantity needed is yet to be specified but what I can tell you is that our annual cement production will increase from 100,000 to 600,000 tonnes,” he projected. The quantity of peat fossils locally known as “Nyiramugengeri” mostly found in bogy areas is reported by geological specialists to be around 200 million tones countrywide. Mike Biryabarema, the head of the National Geology and Mines Authority which runs the mines sites, ascertained that the country has enough peat tonnes for other extra use. The Rwanda Investment Group (RIG) which owns the factory said last Friday that nearly 80% of peat energy will replace that of diesel and cut its frequent shortage or other faults. In 2002, the government permitted the international firm to conduct a pilot study in Gishoma lowland, Southern Province to find out peat availability in the country.onmentalists to follow the national laws governing landscape use. Ends