Rwanda is yet again going green by strengthening reliance on renewable energy resources by establishing a third Rusizi power plant. The power plant will have capacity of 145 mega watts that will contribute towards the goal of supplying electricity to fifty percent of all the homes countrywide by 2017.
In a joint collaboration of countries under the CEPGL and the European investment bank, a convention was held at Serena hotel for the implementation of a treaty for the management of the Kivu lake and river Rusizi basin which will be setting up a framework for the cooperation allowing them to initiate The Rusizi 3 hydro electric power project.
“Our country has embarked on a steadfast development road and it can only be sustained by availability and affordability of power” says Minister of natural resources, Stanislas Kamanzi “ at this stage the rate of accessibility is very low , our ambition is actually to increase so by 2017 we can increase the accessibility to 50 percent from 10 percent presently.”
Rwanda which is currently producing 80 MW is aiming to be producing 1000 MW by 2017.The region around lake kivu is a very densely populated region desperately in need of electricity. This area comprises of eastern DRC, Burundi and Rwanda.
Apart from the hydro power project,there are other projects under way that will help in preserving the environment and biodiversity around the lake as well as promoting agriculture and fishing among others.
The project is estimated to cost US$785,000. The European union has shown substantial interest in funding this project but mobilisation of funds is still under process.The minister adds on.
The Minister of environment and natural resources in DR Congo Jose Endundo, observed that despite the fact that implementation of similar projects had failed in the past, there was no need to be pessimistic and he encouraged political determination as well as proper cooperation between countries in the CEPGL for successful completion of the project.
Rwanda government has taken a big commitment in bridging the energy gap by turning to alternative energy sources. Most of the population relies on wood as an energy source and represents around 93 % of energy consumption nationwide.
With the prevailing rate of exploitation, wood resources will completely be exhausted by 2015. This will not only upset ecological balance but also economic stability including environmental pollution.
With the setting up of the hydro power plant, Rwanda strengthens its mission to sustainable development.
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