The State Minister of Energy and Water, Eng. Coletha U. Ruhamya has said that investing in hydropower infrastructure without putting resources in skills development would be a nonstarter.
The minister made the remarks during a graduation ceremony of 30 newly graduated technicians who undertook a four week course in Hydropower operation and maintenance held in the Conference Room of the Ministry of Infrastructure on Friday.
“Hydropower Plants are important for achieving goals. Rwanda has big potential for small and big Hydropower Plants that can be developed in order to supply electricity to our people.”
She challenged the new graduated technicians to get involved in local projects and be the driving force with other partnering companies to develop new sites and manage those presently under construction. The minister congratulated the technicians and thanked the trainers for their time and sacrifice.
Oliver Ngororabanga from REPRO, explained to the audience the operations of the newly Power Plant located in the Western Province (former Kibuye) that has been operational here since last year. The plant was put up from March 2008 up to March 2010.
In his speech, a trainer from the Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre in Zambia, that undertook the training, said that any meaningful investment in infrastructure without the necessary skills for appropriate relatedness is a wasted investment. He outlined the importance of acquiring skills in hydropower, stating that it was vital for the country’s infrastructure. He also pointed that “our business is to ensure there are skills for higher power operations.” He disclosed that plans are underway to put up a Hydropower centre for Africa. He thanked the Rwandan government for taking the initiative to invest in skills transfer and hoped for continued partnership.”
In an interview with IGIHE.com, one of those who undertook the course Ben Mategeko disclosed that the first phase of the training took two weeks in Zambia while the second phase was held in Kigali over a similar period.
“The skills gained were really important, most trainees had theoretical background, some had little experience in hydropower plants but were exposed to huge power plants such as the Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre power plant (in Zambia), which generates about 990 megawatts, which is really enormous. It’s something that Rwanda is trying to emulate. The other great experience is the hands on experience.”
He said that “what was learned from Zambia if properly utilised in Rwanda can contribute to the energy efficiency.”
Those present at the event were representatives from the ministry of Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA), various companies involved in development and construction of Hydropower including ARED, ENNY, REPRO, REGREPOWER, Digitech, GIZ, CTB and trainers from Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre in Zambia.
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