Rwanda: Nyabarongo-II Hydropower Plant worth $214mn to produce 43.5MW electricity

Rwanda is giving all its endeavour to achieve universal access to electricity by 2024. The target has got a boost after a deal that will see China’s SynoHydro build the Nyabarongo-II Hydropower Plant.

The Nyabarongo-II Hydropower Plant, which is said to be generating 43.5 megawatt of electricity, is likely to be operational in five years time at a cost of USD 214 million. According to Energy Development Corporation Limited (EDCL), the project is expected to contribute to more than 11.5 percent of the total electricity on the national grid. In addition to this amount, the government of Rwanda will avail more money for expropriations and project management fees, Head of Power Generation Projects Implementation, Théoneste Higaniro opined.

SynoHydro Ltd. earlier ventured into an amendment on June 6, 2018 with EDCL on the design, supply, construction, installation and commissioning of the plant. Théoneste Higaniro said that the multipurpose dam will be used for flood control and paving way for irrigation systems and reclaiming land for agricultural activities downstream.

The first phase of the project will produce 28 megawatt of electricity and is only designed for power generation purpose. The project is expected to generate some 900 direct and indirect job opportunities.

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