Mauritian investors eye energy sector

A Mauritian energy firm has expressed interest in investing in Rwanda’s energy sector, with the construction of a plant expected to contribute at least 15 megawatts to the national grid.This will come as a boost to the country’s ambitious target of 1,000 megawatts by 2017.Stramon Limitee, a subsidiary of Groupe Stramon, is expected to build an over-peat power generation station in Rusizi District, estimated to cost US$25 million.“We had discussions with the government and once it gives us the go ahead, we will immediately start,” William Ahsue, Chairman Stramon Limitee, told The New Times. Ahsue said that his firm, which generates around 60 percent of the 450 megawatts produced in Mauritius, will use its expertise in biogas power generation, coal and peat deposits. Recent statistics show that households with electricity increased to 10.8 percent in 2010/2011, from 4.3 percent in 2005/06. “When you want to see improvement in standards of living in any country, you look at electricity usage,” he said, adding there was need for Rwanda to increase electricity to achieve its development targets.He further stated that peat deposits will sustain the station for close to fifteen years, adding that more pit deposits have been identified, thus giving more chances to build more pit power stations.The new technology will use peat as fuel which will be put in a boiler and heat to produce steam, and the steam will help in turning turbines that will later produce electricity, while the ash/residues are also used in cement manufacture or in road construction making itenvironmental friendly.Groupe Stramon’s General Manager, Claude Mamet, said, the project will start with the construction of infrastructure, while equipment will be manufactured in Mauritius and shipped in.

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Mauritian investors eye energy sector