Peat Energy

The first study done on Rwanda’s peat study indicated that the country peat bogs contain up to 155 million tons of dry peat covering a combined area of 50,000 hectares. About 77% of peat reserves are near Akanyaru and Nyabarongo rivers and the Rwabusoro Plains.

The study indicated a potential for electricity generation from exploitable peat reserves of about 150 MW for sod peat application and 117 MW for milled peat application based on 30 years of operation

PEAT-TO-POWER PROJECTS IN RWANDA

·   Gishoma 15 MW Peat to Power Project

Since 2010, the Government started development of a pilot 15MW peat power plant in Gishoma, Rusizi District, to reduce electricity deficit which the country was facing and to coincide with a significant growth of electricity demand observed in the region as a result of the expansion of the local cement factory and country development.

As it was the first of its kind in Rwanda and in Africa in general, the plant was constructed as a pilot power plant and commissioned in 2016 to demonstrate the possibility of generating electricity from peat energy available in the region. Currently the power plant is working and successfully connected to the grid.

·  Hakan Project

YUMN Ltd. is developing an 80 MW peat fired power plant in South Akanyaru prospect in Gisagara District and the project is being developed as Public Private Partnership (PPP). Since February 2017 the project is under construction phase and it constructions activities will cover a period of 45 months. At the end of the operation period, HAKAN will transfer the power plant back to the Government of Rwanda.

·   The pre-feasibility studies done on seven sites in 2013 indicated that there is potential for at least three of these sites suitable for developing small scale peat energy generation of 15MW each.

 

 

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