| Kitenge River | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Native name | French: Rivière Kitenge |
| Location | |
| Country | Burundi |
| Province | Bubanza Province, Cibitoke Province |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | Kagunuzi River, |
• coordinates | 2°56′55″S29°25′41″E / 2.948608°S 29.427927°E |
The Kitenge River, or Gitenge Rver, is a river in northwestern Burundi.
The Kitenge River forms above Lake Rwegura, the reservoir for the Rwegura Hydroelectric Power Station and flows in an overall west-southwest direction. It forms the boundary between Bubanza Province to the south and Cibitoke Province to the north. It is a tributary of the Kagunuzi River, which it joins from the right, which in turn is a tributary of the Ruzizi River.
Gitenge–Kagunuzi and the Kaburantwa River are important tributaries on the east side of the Ruzizi river, with an estimated total hydroelectric potential of about 100 MW. [1] The Gitenge River provides power to the 18 MW Mugere Hydroelectric Power Station. The reservoir allows regulation of the Kitenge with a view to the establishment of other power plants downstream. [2]
In 2011 the KItenge River above the Rwegura Dam Lake had dried up completely. Some said Eucalyptus trees planted around the lake were said to be consuming large amounts of water. [3] Another explanation was that deforestation and tea plantations had reduced the ability of the land to absorb water in the rainy season and release through seepage it in the dry season. [4] Regideso Burundi was employing at least 400 workers to dig a 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) canal so the Inamunyiriri River would flow into the lake. [3]
Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower. Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4,500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined and also more than nuclear power. Hydropower can provide large amounts of low-carbon electricity on demand, making it a key element for creating secure and clean electricity supply systems. A hydroelectric power station that has a dam and reservoir is a flexible source, since the amount of electricity produced can be increased or decreased in seconds or minutes in response to varying electricity demand. Once a hydroelectric complex is constructed, it produces no direct waste, and almost always emits considerably less greenhouse gas than fossil fuel-powered energy plants. However, when constructed in lowland rainforest areas, where part of the forest is inundated, substantial amounts of greenhouse gases may be emitted.
The Ruzizi is a river, 117 kilometres (73 mi) long, that flows from Lake Kivu to Lake Tanganyika in Central Africa, descending from about 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) to about 770 metres (2,530 ft) above sea level over its length. The steepest gradients occur over the first 40 kilometres (25 mi), where hydroelectric dams have been built. Further downstream, the Ruzizi Plain, the floor of the Western Rift Valley, has gentle hills, and the river flows into Lake Tanganyika through a delta, with one or two small channels splitting off from the main channel.
The Burundi Ministry of Energy and Mines also known as the Ministry of Hydraulics, Energy and Mines is responsible for managing energy development and distribution in Burundi. The main function of the Ministry of Energy and Mines include: design and implement the National policy in energy, geology and Mines; promote geological research and mining industry activities; developing and implementing policies related to electricity, minerals, petroleum and petroleum products. The current Cabinet Minister of Energy is Hon. Ibrahim Uwizeye, Jiji and Mulembwe Hydropower Project (PHJIMU), Hydro-Electric Plant Mpanda, Hydro-Electric Plant Kabu 16, Hydro-Electric Plant Rusumo falls, Kagu Project, Ruzizi III, Ruvyironza, Hydro-Electric Plant in Kirasa-Karonge, Peat Power Project.
The Upper North Fork Feather River Project is a hydroelectric scheme in the Sierra Nevada of California, within Lassen and Plumas Counties. The project consists of three dams, five power plants, and multiple conduits and tunnels in the headwaters of the North Fork Feather River, a major tributary of the Feather—Sacramento River systems. The total installed capacity is 362.3 megawatts (MW), producing an annual average of 1,171.9 gigawatt hours (GWh). The project is also contracted for the delivery of irrigation water between March 31 and October 31 of each year. The project is owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station is a proposed hydropower plant with planned capacity installation of 206 MW when completed.
Ruzizi IV Hydroelectric Power Station, is a proposed hydro-power plant, with planned capacity installation of 287 megawatts (385,000 hp) when completed.
Kabu 16 Hydroelectric Power Station is a 20 megawatts (27,000 hp) hydroelectric power station under construction in Burundi. It is under development by the government of Burundi, with funding from the Exim Bank of India. Construction began in March 2019.
REGIDESO Burundi is a state-owned water and power distribution company in Burundi.
Rwegura Hydroelectric Power Station is a 18 megawatts (24,000 hp) hydroelectric power station in the Cibitoke Province of Burundi.
MugereHydroelectric Power Station is an 8 megawatts (11,000 hp) run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station in the Bujumbura Rural Province of Burundi.
The International Electricity Company of the Great Lakes Countries supplies electricity to Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ruzizi II Hydroelectric Power Station is a 44 megawatts (59,000 hp) hydroelectric power station on the Rusizi River between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ruzizi I Hydroelectric Power Station is a 29.8 megawatts (40,000 hp) hydroelectric power station on the Rusizi River between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ruvyironza Hydroelectric Power Station is an 1.28 megawatts (1,720 hp) run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station in the Gitega Province of Burundi.
Nyemanga Hydroelectric Power Station is an 1.44 megawatts (1,930 hp) run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station in the Bururi Province of Burundi.
Ruvyironza Hydroelectric Power Station is an 0.8 megawatts (1,100 hp) run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station in the Muyinga Province of Burundi.
Marangara Hydroelectric Power Station is an 280 kilowatts (380 hp) run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station in the Ngozi Province of Burundi.
The Kagunuzi River is a river in northwestern Burundi.
The Kaburantwa River is a river in northwestern Burundi.