When electricity makes progress
In the west of Rwanda, on the hills near Lake Kivu, about 6,800 families live in Nyamyumba. Recently 416 families have gained access to electricity thanks to the electrification programme. Change has arrived. The local administration is finally computerised and can do away with its typewriters; locals can develop many revenue-generating activities so they do not have to rely solely on agriculture. Another 480 families have asked for access and are expecting to be connected.
Economic activities
The first connections date from April 2011 and soon after economic activities popped up. For instance, Moïse Niyitegeka, a young man of 22 with an ICT degree, started a service office with money he borrowed from his brother. Among the services that he offers there are training sessions for pupils of the last year of secondary school to get to know basic ICT programmes. This considerably improves their job prospects. At night, the speakers that Moïse set up at the entrance, broadcast the latest hits from Kigali for the youths of the village.
Fabrice Nsengiyumva, who is 21, runs a little neighbourhood cinema. In the evening, he entertains young and not so young people who come together to watch the small screen. Before electricity, Fabrice used a power generator, which cost him about 2 euros on fuel a day. Today, his energy costs are cut to one fifth and as he projects three movies every day he is making about 5 euros per day.
Renewable energy
So, where does the electricity come from? From a micro hydroelectric power station. BTC and the Rwandan Ministry of Infrastructure have built three such power stations in the region. Together they generate 3.2 megawatt-hour, enough to supply 330,000 inhabitants, or ten sectors like Nyamyumba.
Because they produce renewable energy, the micro power stations of Cyimbili, Keya and Nkora, named after their respective waterways, offer an excellent solution for Rwanda’s power deficit.
Along with the construction of these micro hydroelectric power stations, the grid has been extended to connect these stations with the national network. That way, thirteen sectors could be connected to electricity. Each of these sectors has about thirty pilot subscribers where cash power meters have been installed. With such meters electricity is paid in advance and so there are no bad surprises at the end of the month or related debt problems. Even though it should only take two days for Rwandan electricity services to connect an applicant, still this goal is difficult to meet for households that live further away from the grid. Some people have to pool funds for laying a line to their houses.
As part of its support to Rwanda’s energy policy, BTC has also built a power line called KIKI (connecting Kigali to Kiyumba) in the Western Province. This 84-km line started operating in October 2010 and has made it possible to connect a thousand families, 3 district offices and 11 health centres.
Back to the countryside
Marie-Chantale Nikuze, 44 years, has witnessed many changes since her village, which is at half an hour from the capital, got connected to the grid. Once the advent of electricity was announced, she left the rental where she lived in Kigali to return to her home on the countryside. Today, she lives there with her mother and her four children. By leasing out an annexe to her house, which is used as a small shop and bar, her revenue has increased. Now, she can save money and she also feels safer at nights because light also keeps away burglars.
Facts and stats
- 14% of Rwandan population, which is now estimated at 10 million inhabitants, is connected to the electricity grid (up from 5 % in 2006). The Rwanda government’s current goal is to achieve a rate of 16% by 2012 and of 50% by 2017.
- On average, 70 megawatt are currently available and on the national grid. This network has an installed capacity of 100 megawatt, but this is not always fully available. In July 2012, BTC’s energy programme, will have contributed about 10% to this goal.
- As part of BTC’s support to the Ministry of Infrastructure, 201 km of power lines have been installed and 41 rural centres (sectors) have been connected to the grid.
- With its photovoltaic systems, BTC’s energy programme also supplies 46 healthcare centres and 3 border stations.
- Since 2011, BTC’s support to the Rwandan energy sector has mainly focused on the development of geothermic renewable energy and contributes to the installation of new electricity lines (the goal: 21,000 new connections by 2014).
- Also local capacity must be developed through training in organisation, management, maintenance and techniques and through support to the private renewable energy production sector.
