Rwanda to export renewable energy by 2021

Rwanda plans to begin exporting renewable energy to regional countries by 2021, according to the ministry of infrastructure top official.

James Musoni, Rwanda minister of infrastructure made the remarks on Sunday while speaking about the role of Rwanda Energy policy in transformation of national economy, in a televised show.

"By 2021 Rwanda will have adequate energy production capacity that will even allow our country to export power to a broader range of neighbouring nations as part of a cross-border effort to meet regional energy demand," he said.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Musoni said that Rwanda has embarked on plans to dramatically scale up its energy production sufficient enough to be exported within the next five years.

"We have set up a public private partnership program to boost energy production in the country. Rwandans are required to live in formal settlements to facilitate the government in energy distribution," he noted.

Currently, Rwanda energy production capacity is about 200 megawatts from 50 megawatts which were available in 2008.

Musoni stated that no Rwandan resident will be using Kerosene lamps in lighting by 2018 following the ambitious energy plans and rural electricity roll-out program.

Presently, 92 percent of all sectors in the country have access to reliable energy, according to Rwanda Energy Group (REG) statistics.

To support Rwanda energy capacity increment, in December last year the World Bank approved 95 million U.S. dollars for Rwanda's energy sector. The money will be used to finance electricity roll-out to about 74,000 households across the country.

Last week, Rwanda unveiled a mega methane gas power plant-the Kivu-Watt Gas Power project which is expected to produce 100 megawatts from Lake Kivu, Karongi district, western province, the world's only methane rich water body.

The country targets to meet the grand power production target of 563 megawatts by 2018.

Rwanda is set to import 30 megawatts from Kenya on a five-year long arrangement expected to later this year. The country also plans to import 400MW of power from Ethiopia by 2018, aimed at increasing electricity supply in the country, especially for industrial use.

In February last year, Rwanda unveiled 23.7 million U.S. dollars solar power plant the first of its kind in the region and the third in Africa after the ones in South Africa and Mauritius.

The utility power located in Rwamagana district, eastern province that was developed by the Netherlands-based company, Gigawatt Global, adds 8.5 MW to the national electricity grid. Endit