Last week, State-run Energy Water and Sanitation Authority requested Rwanda Utilities and Regulation Authority (RURA) for a tariff hike in part to allow Government focus on power generation.Rwanda’s demand for electricity has been rising steadily over the years. The number of electricity users has increased to 286,000, up from 109,000 four years ago.Even with the completion of Mukungwa, Ntaruka, Rukarara and Rusizi hydro-electric plants, which are expected to contribute over 60 megawatts, power consumption will still overtake production.As such, we must take advantage of renewable source of energy to meet our power demands. Many parts of the country receive sunlight for many hours every day, enough to generate solar energy.But not many people seem to use solar, whether for lighting, cooking or even heating water. The country highly relies on hydro-electric power.Solar lighting panel, which can last five to ten years, may be more affordable to most families since it’s a one off expenditure that can even be financed by credit facilities.We can learn from countries like Malaysia, where electricity supply for domestic use is limited to cooking, heating water or ironing. Lighting is strictly limited to solar power.Access to electricity is one of the main drivers of the country’s sustainable development, with Government planning to scale up investments in the energy sector. However, major challenges remain.Only 11 per cent of the population has access to electricity, with 86 per cent relying on firewood as the main source of energy. This clean solar energy should be popularised, especially in light of the rising electricity charges.The expected tariff of Rwf126 per KW hour, or Rwf168, come July, means that many people in rural areas will find it difficult to foot the bill. Yet solar energy heaters would help free more power to run heavy industries.
