Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station

Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station is a proposed hydropower plant with planned capacity installation of 206 MW when completed.[1][2]

Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station
Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station is located in Rwanda
Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station
Map of Rwanda showing the location of
Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station
Coordinates02°42′05″S 28°57′56″E
StatusProposed
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsRuzizi River
Commission date2026 (expected)
TypeRun-of-the-river
Installed capacity206 MW (203 MW + 3 MW)
Annual generation1,157 GWh

Location

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]

Overview

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]

Funding

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]

Ownership

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]

Shareholding In Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station
RankName of OwnerPercentage OwnershipNotes
1Ruzizi III Energy Limited (Scatec and IPS)
70
[9]
2Government of Burundi
10
[9]
3Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
10
[9]
4Government 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]

See also

References
  1. Michael Harris (4 January 2016). "AfDB approves financing for 147-MW Ruzizi 3 hydropower plant". Hydroworld.com. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  2. Rwirahira, Rodriguez (2 July 2017). "Rwanda's joint study on Lake Kivu with DRC". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  3. Google (1 June 2022). "Road Distance Between Kigali, Rwanda And Bugarama, Rwanda, With Map" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  4. Google (28 June 2017). "Location of Ruzizi III Hydroelectric Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  5. Esi-Africa (20 May 2016). "Rwanda secures grant to increase share in Ruzizi III project". Esi-Africa.com. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  6. AfDB (29 December 2015). "AfDB approves Ruzizi III hydropower plant project, bringing green energy to Burundi, DRC and Rwanda". Abidjan: African Development Bank (AfDB). Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  7. European Commission (28 June 2017). "Project ID: ITF-08: Ruzizi Hydropower Plant". Brussels: European Commission. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  8. FICOU, Moctar (2 March 2020). "Energie propre : 10 millions de Congolais bénéficieront du projet Ruzizi III". VivAfrik. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  9. Power Technology (27 August 2019). "Ruzizi III Hydropower Plant Project". Power-Technology.com. New York City. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  10. Elizabeth Ingram (17 November 2021). "Applications being accepted to develop 206-MW Ruzizi III hydropower project". Hydroreview.com. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  11. Jean Marie Takouleu (4 August 2019). "East Africa: SN Power and IPS will develop Ruzizi III dam project". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 28 August 2021.


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