Rwanda estimates 170-300 MW potential

Volcano Rda and Goma, Rwanda (source: rwandacinemacenter)

Alexander Richter 22 Mar 2010

In an article on this country on the horn of Africa, “In Rwanda the Virunga volcanic zones in the Northern part and the area around the hot springs located in the Western part of the country close to Lake Kivu are believed to be potential sites for possible geothermal exploitation.

As was mentioned in our preceding articles, Rwanda’s current power production equals a total of about 60MW at peak hours that is generated mainly from thermal and hydropower.

Considering, that energy is a prime component of further economic development, that the Rwandan Government is eager to diversify as well as stabilize its energy supply and that the thermal energy currently used is expensive, geothermal energy has to be given its due importance as a potential relevant contribution to our national energy balance.

Geothermal power is an attractive source of energy because it is naturally available, renewable and can be economically viable.

The potential for geothermal power generation in Rwanda is currently estimated at about 170-300 MW.

This estimation is based on observations and surface geochemical work that was carried out at a hydrothermal spring in the Western part of the country by the French Bureau BRGM (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières).”

For the full article (which seems a bit older than published) see link below.

Source: allAfrica