Kigali, 2^nd September 2014-The Minister of Infrastructure, Honorable James Musoni visited Nyabarongo I Hydropower Plant meant to produce 28 Megawatts to the national grid. He was accompanied by the State Minister in charge of Energy and Water, Hon. Germaine Kamayirese and the Chairman of Angelique International Mr. Ajay Krishna Goyal to assess the remaining works at the site and determine a clear roadmap to complete the project.

The Minister of Infrastructure Honorable James Musoni acknowledges that the Ministry of Infrastructure will provide all possible support to ensure that the completion of Nyabarongo I hydropower project of 28 Megawatts will be done within agreed timelines. This will contribute significantly to the increase of electricity supply country wide.

Angelique International Ltd (AIL), the Indian power development firm Group has completed 99% civil work. There are minor works that are remaining on the dam reservoir to be filled with water, which once completed, will aim at start producing electricity by late October 2014.

The discussions between the Minister for Infrastructure, Hon. James Musoni and the president of Angelique International, Ajay Krishna Goyal, are seen as commitment to get power from Nyabarongo power plant to address - the issues of power shortages soon in Rwanda.

The Reservoir dam, Power House, Surge Shaft, and the transmission line connecting Nyabarongo I project to Kirinda Substation of 120 Kilometers are completed with other structures, including the turbines, and diversion tunnel and intake structure.

 “There were a few technical problems but Angelique has been able to sort them out. They are confident that they will be able to transmit 28 megawatts from the dam on the national electricity grid, and this will tremendously benefit all Rwandans,” Krishna noted.

Nyabarongo Hydropower Dam, located on Nyabarongo River in Mushishiro, Muhanga District, has consumed $100 million since its construction began in 2009 and will be the biggest dam, operating two turbines each generating 14 megawatts.

The Government seeks to have 563 megawatts on the national grid to ensure that at least 70 per cent of households are connected to electricity by 2017.