| Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station | |
|---|---|
  Map of Rwanda showing the location of Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station | |
| Coordinates | 02°42′05″S28°57′56″E / 2.70139°S 28.96556°E |
| Status | Proposed |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Ruzizi River |
| Commission date | 2026 (expected) |
| Type | Run-of-the-river |
| Installed capacity | 206 MW (203 MW + 3 MW) |
| Annual generation | 1,157 GWh |
Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station is a proposed hydropower plant with planned capacity installation of 206 MW when completed. [1] [2]
The power station is located on Ruzizi River, straddling the common border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DC). Its location is approximately 5 kilometres (3 mi) directly west of the town of Bugarama, in Rusizi District, in Rwanda's Western Province, approximately 280 kilometres (174 mi), southwest of Kigali, the capital city of that country. [3] The approximate coordinates of Ruzizi III Power Station are: [1] [4]
This power station is the third in a cascade of power stations on the Ruzizi River, benefiting the countries of Burundi, DRC and Rwanda. The power stations include Ruzizi I (29.8 megawatts) and Ruzizi II (43.8 megawatts), both located northwest of Ruzizi III and both operational as of June 2017. [1] The power generated will be distributed to the three countries via existing distribution networks, connected to Ruzizi I and Ruzizi II. Both power stations and the transmission networks will be rehabilitated. Rwanda is expected to absorb 68 megawatts of the 206 megawatts generated at Ruzizi III. [5]
As of December 2015, the cost of construction was calculated at US$625.19 million. [6] Of this, "US$138.88 million will be borne by the AfDB’s public sector window and US$50.22 million by the private sector window". [6] Other funders include the European Investment Bank, [7] KfW [6] and the World Bank. [5] More recent reports have put the cost at $450 million. [2] Financial closure is expected to be achieved by mid-2021. [8]
In August 2019, it was reported that the three African governments concerned had jointly selected Scatec (formerly SN Power) and Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) to execute this renewable energy infrastructure project. The consortium formed a joint venture company, called Ruzizi III Energy Limited (REL). The table below illustrates the ownership of the power station. [9] [10]
| Rank | Name of Owner | Percentage Ownership | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruzizi III Energy Limited (Scatec and IPS) | 70 | [9] |
| 2 | Government of Burundi | 10 | [9] |
| 3 | Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo | 10 | [9] |
| 4 | Government of Rwanda | 10 | [9] |
| Total | 100 | ||
When commissioned, the power generated here is expected to cost between US$0.11 and US$0.13 per kilo Watthour of energy. An estimated 30 million people will benefit. [11]
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 Rusumo Hydroelectric Power Station, also known as the Rusumo Power Station, is a hydropower plant under construction, with initial planned capacity installation of 80 megawatts (110,000 hp) when completed. The project will involve the construction of a dam, with run of river design. A more expensive 90 megawatts (120,000 hp) reservoir design was considered before being abandoned in favor of an 80 MW project with a smaller environmental impact and an estimated cost of US$300 million compared to US$400 million for the bigger project. The World Bank announced on 6 August 2013 that it had approved loans totaling US$340 million towards the US$468.60 million needed for the project. In November 2013, the African Development Bank approved a loan of US$113 million towards completion of the project.
Nyabarongo I Hydroelectric Power Station is a 28 megawatts (38,000 hp) hydroelectric power station in Rwanda.
Muvumbe Hydroelectric Power Station is a 6.5 megawatts (8,700 hp) hydroelectric power station in the Western Region of Uganda.
Songwe Hydroelectric Power Station, also Songwe Power Station, is a proposed hydropower plant, with planned capacity installation of 180 megawatts (240,000 hp) when completed. Other related developments include the development of more dams for both power generation and irrigation purposes, and the creation of a Joint River Basin Authority.
Kopere Solar Power Station, is a planned 50 megawatts (67,000 hp) solar power plant in Kenya, the largest economy in the East African Community.
Ruzizi IV Hydroelectric Power Station, is a proposed hydro-power plant, with planned capacity installation of 287 megawatts (385,000 hp) when completed.
Sahofika Hydroelectric Power Station, also referred to as Sahofika Power Station, is a 205 megawatts (275,000 hp) hydroelectric power station under construction in Madagascar.
Kaptis Hydroelectric Power Station, also Kaptis Power Station, is a planned hydroelectric power plant in Kenya, with generation capacity of 15 megawatts (20,115 hp).
Boali Hydroelectric Power Station is a 38.75 megawatts (51,960 hp) hydroelectric power complex near Boali in the Central African Republic.
The Akanyaru Multipurpose Dam, is a planned dam across the Akanyaru River, at the international border between Rwanda and Burundi. The dam will create a reservoir with storage capacity of 333,000,000 cubic metres (1.1759784018×1010 cu ft). The water is expected to supply drinking water to an estimated 614,200 people in both countries. The reservoir is also expected to provide irrigation water to an estimated 12,474 hectares (30,820 acres) of agricultural land in Burundi and Rwanda, benefitting an estimated 24,948 farmers. The dam will also host Akanyaru Hydroelectric Power Station, with generating capacity of 14.5 MW (19,400 hp).
Grand Katende hydroelectric power station is a hydropower plant under construction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with installed capacity of 64 megawatts (86,000 hp). When completed, it will be operated by the Congolese electricity utility company, Société Nationale d'Électricité (SNEL).
The Zongo II Power Station, also Zongo 2 Power Station, is a hydroelectric power station across the Inkisi River that harnesses the energy of the Zongo Falls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Construction began on 14 March 2012 and concluded in 2018. The power station was officially inaugurated on 22 June 2018 by the President of the DR Congo, at that time, Joseph Kabila.
The Nyabarongo II Multipurpose Dam, is a multipurpose dam under construction across the Nyabarongo River in Rwanda. The dam will measure 48 metres (157 ft) high and 228 metres (748 ft) long, creating a reservoir with storage capacity of 846,000,000 cubic meters (8.46×1011 L). The reservoir is also expected to provide irrigation water to an estimated 20,000 hectares (49,000 acres) of land, downstream of the dam site. In addition, the dam will host Nyabarongo II Hydroelectric Power Station, with installed generating capacity of 43.5 megawatts.
Djermaya Solar Power Station (DSPS) is a planned 60 MW (80,000 hp) solar power plant in Chad. The solar farm is under development and is owned by a consortium comprising (a) Aldwych International Limited, a subsidiary of Anergi Group and (b) Smart Energies. The power station will be developed in phases. Phase 1, with capacity of 32 megawatts will be developed first. Phase 2, with capacity of 28 megawatts will be developed after Phase 1.
