How Rwanda plans to achieve 100% electrification by 2024

Rwanda, a country known for its rapid development and ambitious goals, is making significant strides towards achieving 100% electrification by 2024. In a recent interview on CNBC Africa, Ron Weiss, CEO of Rwanda Energy Group, provided insights into the country's electrification roadmap. The Government of Rwanda has set a target to achieve universal access to electricity by 2024, aiming to transform the nation into a middle-income economy. Currently, Rwanda has 224 megawatts of power, which is sufficient to meet the needs of its customers. However, the government plans to increase this capacity to 556 megawatts by 2024 through various ongoing projects. Weiss highlighted that several projects are already in implementation stages, while others are undergoing feasibility studies and planning. The goal is to ensure that Rwanda can support all its energy needs in the foreseeable future. One of the key challenges in achieving this target is securing the necessary budget. Weiss mentioned that over one billion dollars is required to implement all the energy projects planned up to 2024. The significant portion of this budget is allocated towards connecting all households in Rwanda to the grid. To address this challenge, the government is collaborating with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to secure the needed funding. Weiss emphasized the importance of private sector participation in the energy sector to complement the government's efforts. He noted that most of the new power stations in Rwanda will be built by the private sector. Projects like the Hakan P2 Power Plant and the Symbion Gas Project demonstrate the private sector's involvement in generating electricity. Additionally, private sector companies play a vital role in off-grid solutions, offering various systems to connect households to electricity. While the private sector's participation in generation and off-grid solutions is robust, Weiss acknowledged the need for more involvement in transmission and distribution. Looking ahead, Weiss emphasized the importance of forecasting future electricity demand to ensure Rwanda stays ahead of its energy needs. The Rwanda Energy Group constantly monitors the demand side and aligns its projects to meet the growing electricity requirements. The aim is to always have a surplus of supply to accommodate new investors and industries looking to establish operations in the country. Weiss highlighted the upcoming connection of the Hakan P2 Power Plant in June 2020, which will further boost Rwanda's power supply. He emphasized the need to continue seeking diverse resources for power generation, including hydro, gas, and renewable sources like solar energy. The goal is not just to meet current demands but to support Rwanda's ongoing development and industrial growth. With a clear vision, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to innovation, Rwanda is on track to achieve its ambitious goal of 100% electrification by 2024.