Kigali, 15 May 2021- The Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda, Hon. Claver Gatete who is also the Chairman of General Assembly of the International Electricity Society of the Great Lakes (SINELAC) chaired today the 29th Virtual Ordinary Meeting of the General Assembly of SINELAC which discussed issues related to energy cooperation between Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The meeting also saw the attendance of his counterparts, Hon. Olivier Mwenze Mukaleng, and Minister for Hydraulic Resources and Electricity of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Hon. Ibrahim Uwizeye, Minister of Water, Energy and Minerals.

SINELAC is one of the specialized institutions of the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL), of whose three member States are equal shareholders. It is mandated to operate the 110kv Ruzizi II Hydropower plant and the regional Mururu II substation.

In his opening remarks, Minister Gatete extended a warm welcome to his Colleague, the Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity of the Democratic Republic of Congo who has been appointed recently. 

Minister Gatete reiterated, on behalf of the Government of Rwanda, to the Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo its deep gratitude for enabling and strengthening the energy cooperation through the development of Regional Projects which contribute greatly to the economic and social development of our Great Lakes sub-region.

“The Republic of Rwanda supports these integrative projects, which will undoubtedly reduce the energy deficit known in the three CEPGL countries and which contribute to the increase in the well-being of our respective populations”, he mentioned.

Minister Gatete urged member states to work hand in hand to address major challenges faced with Ruzizi II hydropower plant due to infrastructure that is aging. He mentioned among other challenges the urgent need for rehabilitation of Ruzizi II and Mururu II substation, given its current status and the need for the dam protection against floating waste and sedimentation.

“The rehabilitation itself will not suffice, it has to be combined with the optimization of water resources in order to produce the maximum power”, he said.

The meeting adopted resolutions aimed to address the current challenges and increase the efficient of this regional entity.

During the Ordinary Meeting of SINELAC General Assembly, Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda, Hon. Claver Gatete also the outgoing Chairman of the General Assembly handed over to the new Chairperson, Hon. Olivier Mwenze Mukaleng, and Minister for Hydraulic Resources and Electricity of the Democratic Republic of Congo.