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. ALSO READ: Taming Kivu dangers lies in exploiting the Methane Gas 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. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s biggest methane power plant connected to national grid 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.
