BY KAGERA THOMAS

The 2014/15 key achievements of the Ministry of Infrastructure are reflected in the four sectors of: Transport, Energy, Water & Sanitation and Urbanization & Human Settlement. These key achievements mirror targets that were set during the fiscal year 2014/2015 against the key objectives outlined in the long term National Programs such as Vision 2020, EDPRS II, 7 YGP, Sector Strategic Plan and other national priorities identified in different national forums or dialogue such as the National Leadership Retreat (NLR) and National Dialogue.

1. Energy Sector

 Rwanda’s second Economic MININFRA 2014/2015 Infrastructure Sector Achievements and  2015/16 targetsMinistry scores high, targets more intensification of servicesDevelopment and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS II) enshrined in four thematic areas, aims at achieving rapid economic growth, rural development, productivity and youth employment, and accountable governance. Sustainable growth and accelerated reduction of poverty levels occupy a high position in this strategy.  Rwanda’s economy grew at an annual average rate of 8.3% over the past five years and the current government target is to achieve 11.5% annual average growth over the EDPRS II period (2013-2017).

The Rwanda Energy Policy aims at supporting national development through: Ensuring the availability of sufficient, reliable and affordable energy supplies for all Rwandans; promoting the rational and efficient use of energy; establishing environmentally sound and sustainable systems of energy production, procurement, transportation, distribution and use.

Access to affordable and modern sources of energy has been considered essential to the achievement of the above development objectives.

Today, 85% of the overall primary energy consumption in Rwanda is from biomass, 11% from petroleum products and a meager 4% from electricity with per capita energy consumption at 41 kWh which explains the overdependence on wood-fuel.

Rwanda’s electricity access rate has more than tripled from 5% in 2005 to the current access rate of 23%, power generation at 160W where electricity takes 59%, 40% thermal and 1% methane and others. With the Electricity Access Rollout Programme (EARP) under implementation since 2009, supported by several partners (WB, AFD, BADEA, OFID, BTC, JICA, SAUDI FUND, NORDIC FUND etc), coupled with increased generation, access is expected to increase to 70% by 2017.

The current network length is 4,671.6km MV and 423 km HV. The network needs to be expanded and upgraded to meet both the 70% (48% on grid & 22% 0ff grid) access target.