Energy in Rwanda: Difference between revisions
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Energy use in [[Rwanda]] is undergoing rapid change at the beginning of the 21st century. |
Energy use in [[Rwanda]] is undergoing rapid change at the beginning of the 21st century. |
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[[File:Rwanda electricity production.svg|thumb|Rwanda electricity production by source|400px]] |
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==Electricity== |
==Electricity== |
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===Network=== |
===Network=== |
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The extent of grid electricity is limited and mainly concentrated near Kigali. Most of the country uses [[firewood]] as its main energy source. |
The extent of grid electricity is limited and mainly concentrated near Kigali. Most of the country uses [[firewood]] as its main energy source. |
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Rwanda is planning to expand from |
Rwanda is planning to expand from 276 MW of grid power in 2022 to 556 MW in 2024 and may import some additional electricity from neighboring countries. In addition, it is installing small solar units throughout the country to ensure that households located in off-grid areas have access to electricity, or to help deal with power outages. Currently, the government plans to bring electricity access to 100% of the population by 2024, as opposed to 74.5% in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reg.rw/what-we-do/access|title=Electricity Access|first=Jun|last=Feng|publisher=|accessdate=9 November 2022}}</ref> |
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In July 2023 it was announced that Saudi Arabia would provide a soft loan of $20 million to fund an electricity project in Rwanda set to benefit 60,000 people. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-12 |title=Saudi Arabia funds $20m electricity project in Rwanda |url=https://arab.news/c6a2p |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref> |
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===Generation=== |
===Generation=== |
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With its limited electrical infrastructure, Rwanda has a very high degree of [[renewable energy]] usage. Most of the country's electricity comes from [[hydropower]].<ref>[http://www.panapress.com/Solar-power-stations-to-supply-Rwandan-schools-with-electricity--13-798739-17-lang2-index.html Solar power stations to supply Rwandan schools with electricity], PANA, 6 October 2011</ref> |
With its limited electrical infrastructure, Rwanda has a very high degree of [[renewable energy]] usage. Most of the country's electricity comes from [[hydropower]].<ref>[http://www.panapress.com/Solar-power-stations-to-supply-Rwandan-schools-with-electricity--13-798739-17-lang2-index.html Solar power stations to supply Rwandan schools with electricity], PANA, 6 October 2011</ref> |
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Electrical production accounted for 4% of energy use in the country in 2014 |
Electrical production accounted for 4% of energy use in the country in 2014. |
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====Hydroelectricity==== |
====Hydroelectricity==== |
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53% of electricity generated by hydropower. At the end of 2018, Rwanda's grid-connected power plants supplied 221.1MW.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/featured-reg-steps-crackdown-electricity-theft|title=FEATURED: REG steps up crackdown on electricity theft|last=Mudingu|first=Joseph|work=The New Times Rwanda|access-date=2019-01-29 |
53% of electricity is generated by hydropower. At the end of 2018, Rwanda's grid-connected power plants supplied 221.1MW.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/featured-reg-steps-crackdown-electricity-theft|title=FEATURED: REG steps up crackdown on electricity theft|last=Mudingu|first=Joseph|work=The New Times Rwanda|access-date=2019-01-29}}</ref> |
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====Gas fired generation==== |
====Gas fired generation==== |
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[[KivuWatt Power Station|KivuWatt project]] is an energy project to extract natural gas dissolved in Lake Kivu and use the extracted gas to generate electricity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wartsila.com/twentyfour7/gas/killer-lake-renewable-potential|title=Killer lake's renewable potential|last=|first=|date=|website=www.wartsila.com/twentyfour7|publisher=Twentyfour7|access-date=2016-11-16}}</ref> In 2016, the operational |
[[KivuWatt Power Station|KivuWatt project]] is an energy project to extract natural gas dissolved in Lake Kivu and use the extracted gas to generate electricity.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wartsila.com/twentyfour7/gas/killer-lake-renewable-potential|title=Killer lake's renewable potential|last=|first=|date=|website=www.wartsila.com/twentyfour7|publisher=Twentyfour7|access-date=2016-11-16|archive-date=2016-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117063136/http://www.wartsila.com/twentyfour7/gas/killer-lake-renewable-potential|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, the operational 25 MW power plant was able to provide enough energy for 45,000 people in Rwanda. The ongoing expansion project is expected to add 26 MW of generating capacity in its first phase, and eventually scale up to 100 MW in the coming years.<ref name="auto"/> |
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====Utility scale solar==== |
====Utility scale solar==== |
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The first utility-scale solar farm in Sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa is the 8. |
The first utility-scale solar farm in Sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa is the 8.5 MW plant at Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (Liquidnet Family High School), in the [[Rwamagana District]], Eastern Province of [[Rwanda]]. It leased {{convert|20|hectare|acre}} of land from the village which is a charity to house and educate [[Rwandan genocide]] victims. The plant uses 28,360 [[photovoltaic panel]]s and produces 6% of total electrical supply of the country. The project was built with U.S., Israeli, Dutch, Norwegian, Finnish and UK funding and expertise.<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/New-Tech/In-Rwanda-Israelis-and-Americans-launch-East-Africas-first-commercial-solar-field-390197 In Rwanda, Israelis and Americans launch East Africa’s first commercial solar field], ''Jerusalem Post'', February 6, 2015</ref> |
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====Micro scale solar==== |
====Micro scale solar==== |
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The use of off-grid [[solar power]] has increased as solar panel prices have fallen and many areas do not expect grid connections in the near future. |
The use of off-grid [[solar power]] has increased as solar panel prices have fallen and many areas do not expect grid connections in the near future. |
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[[Solar power]] produces over 2% of electricity in the country. The country is in the midst of a rapid expansion of its electrical grid and many new plants are proposed or under construction. |
[[Solar power]] produces over 2% of electricity in the country. The country is in the midst of a rapid expansion of its electrical grid and many new plants are proposed or under construction. |
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====Biomass==== |
====Biomass==== |
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[[Biomass]] is the most important energy source utilized through firewood and agricultural waste for cooking. In 2014, this represented 85% of Rwanda's energy use.<ref name="Peat">[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rwanda-prepares-to-switch-on-africas-first-peat-fired-power-plant-reports-kt-press-350348778.html Rwanda Prepares to Switch on Africa's First Peat Fired Power Plant, Reports KT Press], ''PRNewswire'', October 24, 2014</ref> [[Peat]] from peat marshes in southwestern Rwanda will power two electrical plants. The first |
[[Biomass]] is the most important energy source utilized through firewood and agricultural waste for cooking. In 2014, this represented 85% of Rwanda's energy use.<ref name="Peat">[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rwanda-prepares-to-switch-on-africas-first-peat-fired-power-plant-reports-kt-press-350348778.html Rwanda Prepares to Switch on Africa's First Peat Fired Power Plant, Reports KT Press], ''PRNewswire'', October 24, 2014</ref> [[Peat]] from peat marshes in southwestern Rwanda will power two electrical plants. The first 15 MW plant is expected online in 2015 with the second, a 80 MW plant, expected in 2017. |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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| ⚫ | |||
|+<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.usaid.gov/powerafrica/rwanda | title=POWER AFRICA IN RWANDA | Power Africa | U.S. Agency for International Development | date=27 January 2022 }}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | [[Petroleum]], mainly for transportation, represented 11% of Rwanda's power in 2014. Although Rwanda is thought to have [[crude oil]] and [[natural gas]] reserves near [[Lake Kivu]], as of 2014, there was no production of these resources and demand was met by imports. The [[Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda Petroleum Products Pipeline]] would transport oil between these countries if it is built. |
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! Generation type !! Installed capacity 2019 (MW) |
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| Thermal|| 103 |
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|- |
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| Hydroelectric || 98 |
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|- |
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| Solar || 12 |
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|- |
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| Total || 213 |
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|} |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | [[Petroleum]], mainly for transportation, represented 11% of Rwanda's power in 2014. Although Rwanda is thought to have [[crude oil]] and [[natural gas]] reserves near [[Lake Kivu]], as of 2014, there was no production of these resources and demand was met by imports. The [[Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda Petroleum Products Pipeline]] would transport oil between these countries if it is built. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[List of power stations in Rwanda]] |
*[[List of power stations in Rwanda]] |
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*[[EARP Rwanda]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{Africa topic|Energy in}} |
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[[Category:Energy in Rwanda| ]] |
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Latest revision as of 08:48, 25 July 2024
Energy use in Rwanda is undergoing rapid change at the beginning of the 21st century.
Electricity
[edit]Network
[edit]The extent of grid electricity is limited and mainly concentrated near Kigali. Most of the country uses firewood as its main energy source. Rwanda is planning to expand from 276 MW of grid power in 2022 to 556 MW in 2024 and may import some additional electricity from neighboring countries. In addition, it is installing small solar units throughout the country to ensure that households located in off-grid areas have access to electricity, or to help deal with power outages. Currently, the government plans to bring electricity access to 100% of the population by 2024, as opposed to 74.5% in 2022.[1]
In July 2023 it was announced that Saudi Arabia would provide a soft loan of $20 million to fund an electricity project in Rwanda set to benefit 60,000 people. [2]
Generation
[edit]With its limited electrical infrastructure, Rwanda has a very high degree of renewable energy usage. Most of the country's electricity comes from hydropower.[3] Electrical production accounted for 4% of energy use in the country in 2014.
Hydroelectricity
[edit]53% of electricity is generated by hydropower. At the end of 2018, Rwanda's grid-connected power plants supplied 221.1MW.[4]
Gas fired generation
[edit]KivuWatt project is an energy project to extract natural gas dissolved in Lake Kivu and use the extracted gas to generate electricity.[5] In 2016, the operational 25 MW power plant was able to provide enough energy for 45,000 people in Rwanda. The ongoing expansion project is expected to add 26 MW of generating capacity in its first phase, and eventually scale up to 100 MW in the coming years.[5]
Utility scale solar
[edit]The first utility-scale solar farm in Sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa is the 8.5 MW plant at Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (Liquidnet Family High School), in the Rwamagana District, Eastern Province of Rwanda. It leased 20 hectares (49 acres) of land from the village which is a charity to house and educate Rwandan genocide victims. The plant uses 28,360 photovoltaic panels and produces 6% of total electrical supply of the country. The project was built with U.S., Israeli, Dutch, Norwegian, Finnish and UK funding and expertise.[6]
Micro scale solar
[edit]The use of off-grid solar power has increased as solar panel prices have fallen and many areas do not expect grid connections in the near future. Solar power produces over 2% of electricity in the country. The country is in the midst of a rapid expansion of its electrical grid and many new plants are proposed or under construction.
Biomass
[edit]Biomass is the most important energy source utilized through firewood and agricultural waste for cooking. In 2014, this represented 85% of Rwanda's energy use.[7] Peat from peat marshes in southwestern Rwanda will power two electrical plants. The first 15 MW plant is expected online in 2015 with the second, a 80 MW plant, expected in 2017.
| Generation type | Installed capacity 2019 (MW) |
|---|---|
| Thermal | 103 |
| Hydroelectric | 98 |
| Solar | 12 |
| Total | 213 |
Other energy sources
[edit]Petroleum, mainly for transportation, represented 11% of Rwanda's power in 2014. Although Rwanda is thought to have crude oil and natural gas reserves near Lake Kivu, as of 2014, there was no production of these resources and demand was met by imports. The Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda Petroleum Products Pipeline would transport oil between these countries if it is built.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Feng, Jun. "Electricity Access". Retrieved 9 November 2022.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia funds $20m electricity project in Rwanda". Arab News. 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- ^ Solar power stations to supply Rwandan schools with electricity, PANA, 6 October 2011
- ^ Mudingu, Joseph. "FEATURED: REG steps up crackdown on electricity theft". The New Times Rwanda. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
- ^ a b "Killer lake's renewable potential". www.wartsila.com/twentyfour7. Twentyfour7. Archived from the original on 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2016-11-16.
- ^ In Rwanda, Israelis and Americans launch East Africa’s first commercial solar field, Jerusalem Post, February 6, 2015
- ^ Rwanda Prepares to Switch on Africa's First Peat Fired Power Plant, Reports KT Press, PRNewswire, October 24, 2014
- ^ "POWER AFRICA IN RWANDA | Power Africa | U.S. Agency for International Development". 27 January 2022.