Ngara-Tanzania, 12 June 2021: Ministers in charge of Energy for the Republic of Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi met to speed up the implementation of the 80MW power project.

The council of ministers convened for the 12^th time and brought together Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Honourable Claver Gatete Hon.Ibrahim Uwizeye,energy minister from the Republic of Burundi, and the Tanzania’s Minister for Energy Dr. Medard Kalemani. The meeting was also attended by Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania,Major General Charles Karamba, board members and the officials from all member countries.

The shared resource is being developed at the Rusumo Falls on River Kagera located at the common border of the Republic of Rwanda and United Republic of Tanzania and about 25 kilometers from Burundi.  A new company named Rusumo Power Company Limited (RPCL) has been formed to develop the plant. And each of the three countries owns an equal share in RPCL.

The Council of Ministers’ Meeting (CoM) was organised to take stock on the progress of the plant construction, identify remedies involved so as to provide solutions for a timely implementation.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the construction works are at 80% against 59% in 2019. The works slowed in 2020, but now restored back on track and expected to meet the target. According to minister Claver Gatete of Rwanda, the first unit will start production worth 27MW by December 2021 and the other two units are expect to follow by producing same quantity of electricity to the grids of the member countries.

The construction of the project has created over 1500 jobs to the citizens of member countries and has contributed to raising the livelihoods of people affected by the project, through a $670,000 Livelihood Restoration Programme, which is successfully implemented in both Rwanda and Tanzania.  It has also established a Local Area Development Plan (LADP), a $15.5 million benefit-sharing programme, designed to equitably boost regional economic and social development in the areas of Kirehe and Ngoma districts in Rwanda, Ngara District in Tanzania and both Giteranyi and Busoni districts in Burundi.In both Tanzania and Burundi, the benefit-sharing programme was mainly injected in crop and livestock agriculture, water supply, bee keeping, thus boosting local businesses.

The facility has been divided into a number of components comprising civil works, mechanical and electrical works, social and environmental impacts mitigation and project supervision. The civil works component is a $155m cost and include works such as excavation, tunneling, intake works, access roads, diversion / power canal works, spillway construction and development of site facilities.

The $126m mechanical and electrical works component include installation, testing and commissioning of hydro-mechanical equipment, turbines and generators, substation, power complex and communications equipment. The project also includes a $22m social and environmental impact mitigation plan, under which environmental and social management and resettlement will be implemented. The mechanical works are being done by German contractors, and the civil works by a Chinese company. A good work has been done, Gatete said, and other ministers appreciated the team that has worked during a very difficult situation of Covid-19, to be able to reach where they are.

After the completion, the power from this project will significantly contribute to the country's target of 100% electricity access by its population by 2024. In regard to financing, this is a 468.6 Million dollar facility. The loan liability is being divided equally among the governments of Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania. The three countries worked together to secure $340 million from the World Bank for the construction of the 80MW power plant, and $128 million from the African Development Bank for the transmission lines. Once completed, the 220kv transmission lines will stablise electricity supply and boost power trade in the region.

During the 12th Council of Ministers’ meeting, the Burundi Minister for Energy, Hon. Ibrahim Uwizeye handed over the chairmanship of the Council of Ministers’ meeting to Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Claver Gatete for a One year term.