We can learn a lot from Israel

Editor, RE: “New REG boss says to prioritise off-grid energy” (The New Times, May 27). Good move. At least we can learn few things from Israel. They are completely energy independent which means they are not interconnected to neighbouring grids. With a population of 8 million people and an installed capacity of 16GW (16000MW) versus Rwanda’s 11 million people and 200MW, we know the numbers speak volume. Let us exhaust all our indigenous resources: hydro (I still don’t understand why all our 400 rivers don’t have small plants installed on them), solar, gas, wind (yes we do have wind: check on Congo Crete Nil), peat, etc. Decommission these bloody generators (diesel, HFO) or convert them to gas as most are combined cycle engines anyways. Let us not shy away from installing one or two coal plants. It is not so green but hey it is cheap if you have a stable and reliable supply. Kudos to the Rwanda-Israel cooperation! I feel we can now do big things and bring even transportation using electric cars and buses in the mix...we’ll soon need 1GW, why not. The key point here is: facilitate local and international energy investors with clear processes, remove the red tape... Al

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We can learn a lot from Israel