Kagame unveils Africa’s biggest solar energy plant
The infrastructure, which is installed at Jali hill in Gasabo District, was funded by the German state through a company called Stadtwerke Mainz and Rhineland Palatinate citizens to the tune of Euro one million (approx. Frw700m).
At the launch of the facility, the president said that there would not have been a better way to mark the 25 years of cooperation between the two parties.
“In 2004, we (Rwanda) experienced a major power crisis brought about by the falling of water levels in our water bodies and this was at a time when Rwanda had set the pace of development,” Kagame said.
He said that the plant will not only increase the production of power, but also facilitate conservation of the environment at a time when the world is faced with the challenge of a deteriorating eco-system.
He called upon international partners and investors to invest in the eco-friendly power-generating venture which he said was a priority.
During the function, the visiting Minister President for Rhineland Palatinate, Kurt Beck, said that the people in his state are proud of Rwanda having this biggest plant on the continent.
“This comes at a time when the world is facing environmental degradation and this infrastructure we are witnessing sends a positive signal towards preserving it (environment),” Beck said.
The existing power generating plants in the country are hydro-electric which need the use of diesel or petrol which pose threats to the environment.
The State Minister for Communication and Energy, Eng. Albert Butare, said that the new project was conceived way back in 2003 and a Memorandum of Understanding for its construction was signed in July 2006 between the government and Rhineland Palatinate.
“Today, what we dreamt in 2003 has been realised and as of now we are witnessing it becoming a reality. This is a result of the existing cooperation between Rwanda and the Palatinate,” Butare said during the function.
He said that the government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure contributed Euro 200,000 while the rest of the works were financed by the Rhineland.
“The money the Rwandan government contributed to the project was to help pave the road for the plant and the actual works were funded by them,” he added.
The land on which the plant sits was provided by the Ministry of Defence.
The plant generates 250KW. The construction which was carried out by Stadtwerke Mainz kicked off in January 2007, and according to John Mirenge, the Director General of Electrogaz - the national water and electricity utility - the facility will be expanded depending on the availability of funds to generate more energy.
