{A team of experts from member countries of the NBI (Nile Basin Initiative) visited Rusumo area where will happen activities of the construction of a hydroelectric plant that will produce 80 MW. }
The Regional Rusumo Falls Hydro-electric Project, a joint undertaking by Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania is due for implementation effective 2015. The project presents a major milestone in trans-boundary cooperation in the Nile and a significant achievement for the countries and NBI.
It has received a World Bank Support of $ 470 million.
Gustavo Saltiel, an official of the World Bank in charge of the management of water resources in Africa, said the project will have no negative effect of disparity of groundwater that poured into the Nile River.
Asked about the discontent in Egypt against the execution of the project, Gustavo Saltiel said Egypt is a country in all other forming the NBI; therefore it will not act against resolutions taken jointly. This is what, indeed, confirmed by the Egyptian Ambassador to Rwanda Khaled Abdel Rahman after he visited the site where the dam will be built.
The Rusumo Falls were earmarked as a potential area for hydro power generation as early as 1970s. However, civil conflict, absence of a mechanism for coordination and lack of investment prevented progress on the plan
The additional power will increase the access rates by 5.4% (520,000 people) in Burundi, 4 % (467,000 people) in Rwanda and 0.34% (159,000 people) in Tanzania. Other benefits from the project include reduction in electricity costs, lower final cost of goods and services, lower cost energy to homes as well as employment for 1000 people during construction and installation of the plant.
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