KIGALI - The government, through Rwanda Energy Corporation (RECO), has earmarked Rwf 148bn to undertake a four-year massive rollout campaign to increase electricity across the country.

Speaking to journalists at a media briefing yesterday, the utility’s acting Director General, Yves Muyange, pointed out that the rollout plans to increase country-wide connections from the current 130,000 to 350,000.

"This is a huge project that will cost us close to $260m (approx Rwf 148bn) and we expect our clientele base to rise to 350,000 after four years,” he said.

He also said that the parastatal is currently replacing old electric poles, calling for the public’s patience in case of blackouts.

Muyange said that the exercise was necessary to avoid accidents and leakages that could arise from the poles, some of which have decomposed.

He also revealed that only 7% of the Rwandan population consumes electricity while access to clean water is currently at 70%.

Muyange also heads the Rwanda Water Supply Corporation (RWASCO) which together with RECO used to be known as Electrogaz.

When the project is completed, power consumers will represent 16% of the total population.

He also revealed that the RECO has laid a fibre optic along the national grid to monitor leakages which he said is 18% for power and 30% for water.

Muyange added that 50% of electricity on the national grid is generated by thermal generators and the target is to reduce it.

He revealed that another rollout plan, to extend water in Kigali City and the country, has been ongoing and has at times occasioned outages and urged consumers to bear with the situation saying that it is temporary.

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