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  • Rwanda waits for methane power unit

    KIGALI, Rwanda – Rwandans will soon benefit from a project that generate electricity from heating methane gas on a floating platform.

    The project is being done in two phases and contracted to KivuWatt, a subsidiary of ContourGlobal.

    Recently the company announced in the local media that completion of the first phase will be done by October.

    CountourGlobal signed a 25-year Gas Concession Agreement with the government and a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with the Rwanda Energy Group (REG)­— Former Energy Water and Sanitation (EWSA).

    The methane gas is formed from a mixture of geological and biological processes. The generation process involves the methane being combusted in a gas turbine. Usually this consists of a pump, combustion chamber, and the turbine, from which mechanical power is generated which is then turned to electrical with a generator

    The combined investment for the two phases is estimated to reach $325 million, of which $142 million has been earmarked for phase one.

    Project activities for phase one primarily involved the construction and installation of a 750 tonne floating barge integrating a gas extraction and treatment facility, a submerged, floating pipeline to transport the fuel gas ashore, an onshore gas receiving facility and power plant, and a temporary marine landing site (MLS) where the gas extraction facilities were assembled.

    The offshore facilities are situated 12.5km from Kibuye, while the power plant is located on a 5.5ha site in the outskirts of Kibuye.

    The extracted gas will be processed and pumped ashore for use by the power plant via a submerged floating pipeline.

    The power plant will produce electricity using three 20-cylinder Wärtsilä 34SG gas-powered engines that have a combined capacity of 25MW.

    Phase two will involve the installation of nine additional gensets with a combined capacity of 75MW, additional barges, gas extraction and treatment facilities, and submerged pipelines.

    According Energy Private Developers, Rwanda at present much of the country’s energy is dominated by biomass, which accounts for 86.3% of the total. P

    etroleum products account for the rest. Rwanda has one of the lowest electricity consumption per capita in the region, and generation capacity is low. The country currently has about 112 MW of installed capacity and only about 16% of households are connected to the grid.

    Last week, the Rwanda Energy Group announced that Kenya will be supplying 30MW of electricity by the end of the year. Kenya recently commissioned the Olkaria 1 geothermal power plant which has added an extra 140MW to the national grid. Selling power to Rwanda is also part of the East African Power Pool project which promotes power exchanges between utilities in Eastern Africa region.

  • Rwanda: Low Water Levels Affect Power Generation – REG

    The frequent power cuts affecting the Eastern Province are a result of shortages in water supply, officials from the Rwanda Electricity Group (REG).

    According to Belthe Nzeyimana, a REG official who oversees Gatsibo, Kayonza and Rwamagana districts, with the prolonged dry season, the water levels have dropped, lowering the capacity to generate sufficient electricity.

    “Our clients should bear with us for the moment until we get enough water to supply the power plants,” he said.

    Residents in various districts in the Eastern Province say their businesses have been disrupted by the load shedding that at times lasts up to 9-10 hours a day.

    Claudine Uwimana, a hair salon operator in Kayonza, urged REG to notify their clients of loadshedding schedules so they can plan accordingly.

    If they indicated when it would be back, we could plan accordingly. A message from them indicating power would be off in the next five or seven hours doesn’t cost much,” she said, adding that the unpredictability of the load shedding is frustrating.

    “They should give us a schedule of the power cuts so we can also alert our clients,” Uwimana said.

    The Ministry of Infrastructure has committed to add 70 megawatts to the national grid before the closure of the current fiscal year to mitigate the current energy shortage.

    This is in line with the new performance contracts (Imihigo) signed last week between the ministry officials and its stakeholders to keep the institution’s performance well beyond the average.

    After registering a production increase that saw 40.5 megawatts added to the transmission lines last year, the projected 70 megawatts will be generated from peat, methane gas on top of imports from regional countries.

  • Israeli Energy Pioneer “Knighted” by Bono for Solar Field in Rwanda

    U2 front-man Bono “knighted” Israeli renewable energy pioneer Yosef Abramowitz while visiting a solar field developed by Abramowitz’s company Gigawatt Global in Rwanda, The Times of Israel reported today.

    Bono was in Rwanda visiting the solar field with a group of US representatives to explore ways in which the US and Africa can expand economic development opportunities.

    The rock star has long been involved in African development through his ONE campaign, which fights extreme poverty and disease and also backs the Electrify Africa Act, an act to help bring electricity to 50 million Africans.

    The $23.7 million field, a solar field developed by Abramowitz’s Gigawatt Global, supplies about 6 percent of Rwanda’s power and is set on the land of an Israeli-inspired youth village, the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, the first of its kind in East Africa.

    Abramowitz shared his impression of the ceremony on Facebook, writing, “Being Knighted by Bono in our solar field, using the One.org wrist band, with the declaration: ‘You are an incredible dude.’ I can’t believe my kids weren’t there to witness. Here’s the video evidence, maybe they will respect that.”

    The solar field opened in February. At the time, it was reported that most of Rwanda’s power came from burning wood and that the solar field “will save families around 12 million hours per year.”

    In The Sun Keeps Shining on Yosef Abramowitz, which was published in the July 2014 issue of The Tower Magazine, Assaf Dudai noted that Abramowitz was inspired to become a solar power pioneer by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.

    So how come nobody else has ever thought of harnessing solar energy in Israel, even though a third of its territory is a sprawling, sun-drenched desert? “Actually,” Abramowitz smiles, “somebody did. His name was [David] Ben-Gurion.” Indeed, here is a startling 1956 quote from Israel’s first prime minister:

    The largest and most impressive source of energy in our world and the source of life for every plant and animal, yet a source so little used by mankind is the sun… solar energy will continue to flow toward us almost indefinitely.

    Ben-Gurion initiated the nationwide use of solar power for water heaters, making Israel the first country in the world to use solar power for this purpose.

  • Pallaso to Shoot a Video in Rwanda

    Rwanda’s cleanness drew Uganda’s dancehall star Pius Mayanja aka Pallaso to shoot a video of his new song dubbed ‘On Fire’.

    This comes as the singer was in country for a private show over the weekend.

    “I was planning to shoot its video in countries like South Africa but I changed my mind after spending a night in Rwanda, I just called my production team and told them we must shoot the video in Rwanda,” says Pallaso

    He added, “All I wanted for my new hit single was a country which is clean with happiest people and all qualities Rwanda had them”.

    This was the first time for Go Down Low singer to perform live in Kigali ever since his breakthrough on music scene.

    Pallaso is famous in Rwanda for songs like Go Down Low, Amasso and Wekoledewo kaki.

  • Rusizi: Commemorating Genocide Striving for Rwandans self- reliance

    Rusizi: Commemorating Genocide Striving for Rwandans self- reliance

    As a way of preparing for a better 19th commemoration period for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda, the counselors for traumatic disorders and other partners are preparing people who will deliver constructive presentations as well as those who will give testimony not hurt those with affected by genocide.

    This will reduce the number of people that get traumatized during the commemoration period explains Michel Nshimyukiza the coordinator of CNLG a commission that fights genocide in Rusizi and Nyamasheke district. In Rusizi district, about 1200 people usually get traumatised during the commemoration period of the 1994 genocide but as years go by, this number increases.

    This is the reason to why counselors, and all Rwandans have to work together to reduce this number. Rwandans are at a time they need to stand up and be self reliant instead of living in misery of what happened to them. This year’s commemoration will be celebrated under the theme “Let’s commemorate Genocide against Tutsis striving for self- reliance”.

    This meeting also discussed ways to support vulnerable and poor genocide survivors like through getting them accommodation especially since most of the houses that were built for them grew old.

    Michel Nshimyukiza asked people in the meeting to try their best and heal the hearts of many Rwandans during the commemoration period, to participate fully in the commemoration period programs and to support those who are in pain.

  • Musanze: Public, Private institutions to Join for 19th Genocide Commemoration Activities

    Public and private institutions that existed before 1994 Tutsi genocide has been asked to organise 19th commemoration program and install monuments where possible.

    This was revealed during the general meeting that was held on March 26th 2013 in Musanze district to prepare for the 19th genocide commemoration.

    During the meeting, religious leaders and youth were asked to embrace commemoration activities basing on their energy.

    Vincent Ndayambaje, vice mayor for social affairs in Musanze district said: “Every Rwandan is called on to participate in these activities including religious leaders.”

    He told youth though they pay less attention to the government’s programs implementation, it should be different in times of genocide commemoration.

    Primary and secondary schools in Musanze district were asked to take part in genocide commemoration so as to make youth and students understand more the effect of genocide.

  • Ruhango: 19th Genocide Memorial Period will be used to support the poor

    The 19th memorial period for the commemoration of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi in Ruhango District will emphasize on supporting the poor and vulnerable to improve their lifestyles and get them to development.

    This will be a response to genocide survivors who get traumatized during the memorial period and get afraid to join others due to their social and physical conditions.

    Verdean Mukankundiye is an old lady residing in Kanama village in Buhoro cell and Ruhango sector, she lives in a 2 bed roomed house rented by the sector with her 2 children, a cow and a goat.

    Mukankundiye as well as other many genocide survivors has been living with hope on the promise they were made that they will be given accommodation.

    “I was promised accommodation but I am still waiting in vain. During the genocide memorial period, I remember a life I used to live, my children and my family and feel unworthy to join others in the commemoration programs.”

    In the meeting that brought together Ruhango district management and other councils that prepare the memorial period on 6th.March.2013 agreed to find the most vulnerable and poor people that will be supported in the memorial period.

    Jolie Germaine Mugeni the vice mayor for social affairs in Ruhango district asked all committees and councils in the meeting to call upon all the local people to support the needy without waiting for their leaders to do so.

    This will be done in accordance to the theme of this year memorial period saying “let us commemorate genocide perpetrated against Tutsis by developing ourselves”

    Apart from this issue that was discussed of in this meeting, they also agreed on finding dead bodies of the victims of the 1994 genocide against Tutsis that were buried in tents to be put to rest in memorial sites and to keep maintaining the security of genocide survivors.

  • Gakenke Local People Proud of Youth service Program

    With the youth on Urugerero program doing the third and last month of the public service and community work, local people are grateful for the projects they have done so far.

    This was after both male and females in Urugerero program met up on the 4th.March.2013 in Sitwe village in Rusagara cell in Gakenke sector and constructed a vegetable garden for Leocadie Mukamusoni a residence.

    Leocadie Mukamusoni a 50 years old lady with much excitement hugged each of the Intore and thanked them for helping the needy. She was grateful to the youth for building her a vegetable garden which she had failed to do on her own saying she will never lack vegetables again.

    According to Clémentine Ingabire a member of Urugerero program, the projects they have done so far are appreciated by the people in general. “Urugerero program is doing well so far. People’s appreciation of what we do is the satisfaction and reward we get for doing them and we know we are participating in the development of our country.”

    The Intore on Urugerero program made ditches to fight soil erosion, they made a census of people who cannot read or write and they intend to make vegetable family gardens (Uturima tw’igikoni) in this month in all villages of Rusagara cell.

    The youth in this program also get time to get together and interact like once every two qweeks they meet and play football. This makes them understand each other and share ideas and learn from each other as Dieudonné Bao their leader said.

  • Nyanza: Youths construct house for helpless, elderly Lady

    About 90 youths from Nyanza cell Busasamana sector, Nyanza district started making bricks that they will use to construct a house for an elderly vulnerable woman who has not been having any place to stay.

    These youths said that they were going to raise this house to the roof point, and later will get help from the district leadership.

    “We work for four days per week and no one misses or comes late yet it’s a volunteer thing”, said one of the youths in the field

    All this activities are intended on help find solutions to existing problems that can be dealt with by area residents.

    The house these youths are planning to build for the elderly woman called Evaliste Maniraguha will be worth Rwf3million, and she was selected for this because she did not have where to stay, and she does not even have any children.

    Maniraguha who is to get the house appreciated  the work done by these youths saying that these are great activities that will help people like her get some place to stay.

    “From the different sectors in Nyanza these youths have continued carrying out such activities which is very interesting”, said Florence Kubwimana in charge of such activities in the district.

    They have been able to prevent soil erosion, educate people on how to read and write among others”, added on Kubwimana.

    In this district there are about 1000 youths doing such activities in the different sectors of the district.

  • Kagame Signs on DRC Peace, Security Deal

    President Paul Kagame has unreservedly welcomed the signing of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the region.

    Kagame said that this Framework Agreement is an important step and opportunity in reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to regional peace.

    Kagame made the remarks during the signing ceremony of the new framework held in Addis Ababa, on February 24. The signing was officiated by 11 countries in the Great Lakes region in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa, in the presence of UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

    Present were Presidents of the DR Congo, South Africa, Mozambique, Congo and Tanzania while Uganda, Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic and Zambia were represented by envoys.

    “Nothing would be of greater benefit to Rwanda than real progress toward regional peace and stability. Previous efforts undertaken with the DRC in the past decade had produced some encouraging improvements. Unfortunately what seemed like a strong basis for further progress was not sustained, with grave repercussions,” said Kagame.

    Kagame said the agreement has three aspects that provide renewed optimism for finding a real solution,namely;

    First, the pursuit of durable peace requires the collaborative engagement of the entire region and the international community.

    Second, the framework recognizes that a holistic approach that addresses the multi-faceted root causes is the only way to end instability. Any meaningful contribution towards lasting peace in the DRC has to abandon the self-defeating practice of selectivity in both memory and responsibility regarding the known, longstanding causes of recurring conflict.

    Finally, this agreement presents a valuable opportunity for all parties to build on the work started by the region and focus seriously on addressing the real problems as clearly identified. It is crucial that the signing of this agreement not be seen as the end result of a peace process, but as a big step in the right direction.

    “We have to be genuine about addressing the real problems and finding real solutions for the people who look to us for leadership. At the heart of our efforts, we have to keep in mind the rights, interests and aspirations of the afflicted populations, caught up in the recurring waves of violence. These should not be sidelined in favour of remote and self-serving international political agendas masqueraded as justice or human rights” Kagame said.

    The framework agreement will lay out a security plan that will toughen the UN peacekeeping mission to fight the negative armed forces in eastern DR Congo.

    African Union has spoken out previously that it will not allow losing the command and control of the proposed Neutral International Force (NIF) to be deployed in Congo, and not to be placed under the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo MONUSCO.

    The existing UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO with 19,000 troops has been in DRC for 12 years and is largely ineffective in preventing conflict in eastern DRC. President Museveni branded MONUSCO as “military tourists” bent on sustaining the regional conflicts to earn from them.

    The Natural International Force with a proposed 4,000 troops will be deployed in eastern DRC to take on the negative elements of M23, FNL, FDLR and ADF-NALU which are a threat to stability in DR Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda.

    Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) have offered to contribute a battalion to the Neutral International Force, with other troops expected to come from other SADC member countries such as Namibia, South Africa and Mozambique.