Lake Kivu which has been nicknamed the ‘killer lake’ due to its concentrated explosive methane gases has multi-million-dollar projects aimed at extracting methane gas for different uses.

The Government of Rwanda launched mega-projects: Shema Power Lake Kivu (SPLK), GASMETH, Kibuye Power 1, and KivuWatt Project, for extracting the gas.

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The methane gas in Lake Kivu is estimated to have the capacity to generate 700 MW of electricity over a period of 55 years. Rwanda wants to use the gas to develop methane-to-power projects and other uses such as fertilizer and industrial use. The main projects now underway are:

Shema Power Lake Kivu

The recently completed Shema Power Lake Kivu (SPLK) plant which is producing 37.5 megawatts, is expected to produce 56MW by 2024.

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The power plant started in October 2019 in Nyamyumba Sector, Rubavu District, with a 25-year power purchase agreement with Rwanda Energy Group (REG) for a 56 MW net power output from methane gas.

It was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and technical issues that needed fixing before connecting to the national grid, but the $400 million plant is now providing 37.5 megawatts. The SPLK plant commissioned its first gas-to-power in March with an initial 14MW, which increased to 37.5MW in October.

GASMETH

In 2019, Gasmeth Energy Limited, a locally registered company, committed to invest over $400 million in the construction and maintenance of a gas extraction plant, processing and compression project in Lake Kivu.

The firm signed an agreement to the effect with the government of Rwanda. It planned to finance, construct, and maintain a gas extraction, processing, and compression project on the lake.

ALSO READ: Gasmeth Energy to invest $400m in Kivu methane extraction

The project located in Karongi District is expected to serve more than 300,000 households.

Kibuye Power 1

Symbion Power, the American electrical company upgraded Kibuye Power 1 which had closed due to its failure to produce the expected power output.

Symbion Power is expected to increase the production of Kibuye Power 1 from 3.6MW to 50MW.

Kibuye Power 1 is located in Karongi District.

KivuWatt Project

President Paul Kagame launched the Kivu-Watt Gas Power plant located in Karongi District in May 2016. The project is expected to produce 100MW upon completion.

ALSO READ: Contractor explains KivuWatt delays, sets new October deadline

Works on the first phase [25MW] started in late 2008 but the project was delayed by unexpected technical hitches.

The power plant was built by American energy firm ContourGlobal, which the Rwandan government gave a 25-year concession.