Construction of Rwanda’s Nyabarongo II hydropower project has reached 75%, with the multipurpose project expected to generate 43.5 megawatts of electricity while also supporting water supply, irrigation, transport and other activities.
The Rwanda Energy Group (REG) said construction of the project is progressing, with work being carried out during the day and night to accelerate its completion.
Construction of Nyabarongo II began in 2022 and is expected to be completed in 2027.
Once completed, the project will generate 43.5 megawatts of electricity and include a dam and reservoir designed to store water. The stored water will help maintain electricity generation while also supporting irrigation activities.
The project is also expected to contribute to water supply.
The Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) will draw water from the reservoir and channel it to the Nzove Water Treatment Plant, where it will be treated before being supplied to Kigali City and parts of the Northern Province.
The reservoir is expected to hold about 800 million cubic metres of water.
Beyond electricity and water supply, the project is expected to create an artificial lake that will support water transport.
The lake is expected to extend for about 67 kilometres towards Vunga in Nyabihu District and will support water transport between the Northern Province and Kigali.
The waterway will cover areas in five districts: Kamonyi, Muhanga, Gakenke, Nyabihu and Ngororero.
The reservoir is also expected to contribute to the conservation of aquatic biodiversity, including fish that were previously found in the Nyabarongo River. The new water environment is expected to provide conditions that support fish reproduction.
The project will also incorporate floating solar technology on the reservoir to generate additional electricity and complement the hydropower generated by the plant.
Once the project is completed, a road will be built across the dam to connect Kamonyi and Gakenke districts.
The Nyabarongo II project is expected to cost more than $214 million and currently employs more than 500 workers.
The multipurpose project is therefore expected to provide benefits beyond electricity generation, combining hydropower with water storage, irrigation, water supply, transport and additional renewable energy generation.
