Rwanda is actively importing 40MW of electricity from neighbouring Uganda according to Rwanda Energy Group in its ‘least cost power development plan (2024-2025). The country imports a total of 84.8MW worth of energy from 5 different sources.
The import from (Mbarara -Shango) is aimed at helping the East African Nation of 13.25million people, reduce the high levels of dependence on diesel power generation.
The country, which targets to generate 556MW of electricity by the end of 2024, has seen a general increase to 406.4MW as of December 2023 as indicated in the report.
“The total generation capacity has increased to 400 MW from the previous 311 MW,” the report notes.
The same report indicates that the official access rate spiked to 78.9% by the end of last year, though the country looks forward to a 100% access by the end of this year.
However, this report cautions that despite its high growth rate annual addition of the generating capacity required to expand the system is “still very small, and mainly for purposes of serving the peak demand which lasts for an average of 3 hours every day.”
According to data viewed in this report, the Share of installed capacity by energy source indicates; Hydro 27, Thermal 14, Methane 16%, Peat 21%, Solar 3%, and Imports & shared 19%.
Meanwhile, the Current power generation mix indicates; Hydro 39%, Thermal 7%, Methane 24%, Peat 13%, Solar 1% while Imports &shared 16%.
Rwanda currently generates electricity from 36 hydro power plants (combined production of 109.7MW), 3 diesel plants(total of 28.8MW), 2 peat plants (capacity of 85MW), 3 Methane plants (79.8MW), 3 Solar power plants (12.05 MW Capacity) and Imports from 5 sources with combined capacity of 84.8MW.
According to the report, the country is realigning itself to global standards of ‘affordable and clean energy’ as reflected in the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goal no.7 set by the United Nations.
Rwanda has set a policy target of 60% by and after 2030 to ensure alignment with global trends towards decarbonization of the energy sector.
It is under this arrangement that SoEnergy- a power station (running on HFO/Diesel) with a generating capacity of 30MW in Kinyaga, Bumbogo, Kigali was decommissioned last year.