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As Rwanda marked 25 years of cooperation with the Federal State of Rhineland Palatinate of Germany, yesterday the President put in place Africa’s biggest solar energy plant at Jali hill in Gasabo District. The infrastructure, 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 plant that generates 250KW, the president said that there would not have been a better way to mark the 25 years of cooperation between the two parties from Rwanda and German.

“In 2004, we 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,” said President Kagame.

He said that the facility will not only amplify the production of power, but also assist in environment conservation at a time when the world is faced with the challenge of a deteriorating eco-system due to global warming.

He also urged international partners and investors to invest in the eco-friendly power-generating venture which he said was a main concern to Africa and the whole world.

During the function, the visiting Minister President for Rhineland Palatinate, Kurt Beck, said that the people of Rwanda are proud of 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),” said Beck.

The existing power producing plants in the country are hydro-electric generators which need the use of fuel like diesel or petrol which present threats to the environment.

Eng. Albert Butare, the State Minister for Communication and Energy, said that the new project was conceived in 2003 and a Memorandum of Understanding for its construction was signed in July 2006 between Rwanda government and the Federation State of 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,” said Hon. Butare 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.

He also added that “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”.

And the land on which the plant sits was provided by the Ministry of Defense.

The construction of this infrastructure, 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 power.

Rwanda Information Portal

By Nakawooya Grace