KIGALI - Contour Global, an energy conglomerate is soon completing the ground levelling process in order tostart actual gas extraction.

It recently signed a USD 326 million contract with the government to develop an integrated gas extraction and electricity generation facility.

Charles Nyirahuku, the head of the gas and oil unit at the Ministry of Infrastructure said that the process of establishing the operations is progressing steadily.

He also said that Contour Global will be starting actual extractions in a year’s time.

"They are apparently involved with establishing ground for their operations, they are constructing a plant in Kibuye and everything is seemingly going well.

It will take one year before they start actual extractions,” Nyirahuku said.

He also pointed out that Contour Global’s energy exploitation is going to greatly boost the country’s energy capacity from the current 60 to 160 Megawatts.

Contour Global’s Country Director, Jarmo Gummerus, was hesitant to comment on the progress made so far citing company policy restrictions but referred this paper to their plant in Kibuye which is near completion.

"Our official communication is coming out in ten days but you can visit our plant site in Kibuye, I am sure you will get the whole picture,” Gummerus said.

The Minister of Energy, Dr. Albert Butare recently pointed out the possibility of the country exporting energy to other East African countries by the year 2012.

He was making a presentation on Rwanda’s current stand and prospects in the energy sector as fronted in the recent East African Investment Summit.

"With Contour Global investing up to USD 300 million and other partners venturing in our energy sector, we shall be able to export the surplus to other countries,” he is reported as having said.

The power project is implemented by Contour Global Kivuwatt, a subsidiary of Contour Global.

Ends