The report shows that electricity transmitted to Uganda's Kisoro region via the Cyanika border reached 7.57 million kilowatt-hours (KWh) in 2023, up from 6.76 million KWh in 2022.
Similarly, electricity generated at the Mururu II hydropower plant and supplied to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) increased to 240,000 KWh in 2023, compared to 106,000 KWh in 2022.
Further, electricity exported to the DRC through the Kamanyola border rose to 2.83 million KWh in 2023, up from 2.25 million KWh in the previous year.
In total, Rwanda's electricity exports to Uganda and the DRC amounted to 10.65 million KWh in 2023, a significant rise from 9.12 million KWh recorded in 2022.
Meanwhile, electricity imports into Rwanda surged in 2023, with the country receiving 213.60 million KWh, a sharp increase of 54.47% from the 97.27 million KWh imported in 2022.
Additionally, Uganda's UNEB delivered 85.25 million KWh of electricity to Rwanda in 2023, a significant jump from 7.03 million KWh in 2022.
The reliance on electricity imports often arises when a country experiences power shortages or when its energy production facilities undergo maintenance.
Recognizing the need for a regional approach to address power deficits, countries in the Great Lakes Region established SNELAC in 1983 as a collective solution.
Domestically, electricity usage within Rwanda also showed substantial growth.
By the end of 2023, 1,504,128 households had access to electricity, including 307,997 in Kigali, 232,194 in the Northern Province, 287,484 in the Southern Province, 354,007 in the Eastern Province, and 322,446 in the Western Province.
This represents an addition of 96,685 households connected to electricity in 2023, compared to the 1,407,443 households recorded in 2022.
Electricity consumption among Rwandan households in 2023 reached 211.16 million KWh, an increase from 178.97 million KWh in the previous year.
Other sectors also contributed significantly to the overall electricity consumption.
Water distribution stations, treatment facilities, and communication towers used 238.30 million KWh, while industries consumed 338.68 million KWh.
Media outlets and broadcasting towers accounted for 5.21 million KWh of electricity usage, and street lighting consumed 26.47 million KWh.
Additionally, healthcare facilities utilized 22.65 million KWh, and statistics institutions used 2.27 million KWh.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-s-electricity-exports-increase-by-14-3-in-2023
