President Paul Kagame yesterday commissioned the Nyabarongo I Hydroelectric power plant that has the capacity to generate 28 megawatts of electricity.

Speaking at the event, the President reiterated the government’s commitment to generate as much electricity as

"Our country is not developed enough partly because we don’t have enough power. We want to do everything we can to ensure that the country has enough electricity,” Kagame said.

The Hydroelectric power plant is located in Muhanga District, Southern Province and has been supplying electricity to the national grid since October 2014.

President Kagame noted that the generation of more electricity will translate into accelerated economic development.

The plant was co-financed by Exim Bank of India and the government of Rwanda to the tune of $97.7 million. The Exim Bank loan amounted to $ 80million (about Rwf 56 billion) and $17.7 (Rwf 14 billion) was the government’s contribution.

"We want to extend access to power to as many Rwandans as possible, to every school, hospital, and to enable industries to develop. That’s our vision,” Kagame told the residents who attended the event.

The government seeks to produce 563 megawatts by 2017 and have 70 per cent of the population connected to electricity, up from the current 17 per cent. The current total power generation stands at 160 megawatts.

The President said resources such as water, peat, the sun and wind will be tapped to produce electricity. Ahead of the 9th Northern Corridor Integration Project Summit taking place this Saturday in Kigali, President Kagame reiterated the role of regional integration and joint energy projects to increase access to electricity.

Tomorrow, leaders from Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda will gather in Kigali for the bi-monthly Heads of State meetings to discuss regional projects.

After touring the facility, President Kagame met business people, opinion and local leaders from Muhanga and Ngororero districts, as well as the local population of Mushishiro Sector where the power plant is built.Nyabarongo I Hydroelectric power plant is currently the country’s biggest hydropower generating facility. The dual-turbine plant’s 28 megawatts is about 18 per cent of the total 160 megawatts power installed capacity in Rwanda.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw