Rwanda's Nyabarongo II power project 50% complete #rwanda #RwOT

The plant, once operational, will generate 43.5 megawatts (MW) of electricity and will feature a dam that enables consistent energy production by storing water. The dam will also support irrigation in surrounding areas.

Speaking before the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on June 25, 2025, during a hearing on the Auditor General's 2024 report, EDCL Director General Felix Gakuba confirmed that significant progress has been made on the project.

'We have completed 50% of the construction work and expect to make substantial additional progress by the end of the year,' he said.

Gakuba explained that the powerhouse has already begun to take shape and now stands at its first-floor level. At the same time, the dam's foundation is fully in place, and work has progressed onto the upper sectionsâ€"an effort that is projected to require an additional five to six months to complete.

Beyond these primary structures, planning is well underway for the subsequent phases of the project, which include constructing access roads and installing other critical structural components.

The official noted that most of the plant's equipment has been manufactured in China and is already in transit to Rwanda.

'Construction of the transmission infrastructure has also begun, and contractors are already on-site. Much of the required equipment is on the way from China, where it was produced. Our team travelled there to inspect the materials while the Auditor General's audit was underway.'

Gakuba reaffirmed the project's positive momentum, noting that close supervision and adequate resource allocation are helping to keep the work on track.

'We are closely monitoring the project and have not encountered any major setbacks. We are confident it will be completed to standard, as we are dedicating all necessary resources to ensure its success.'

The Nyabarongo II hydropower plant is being built by Sino Hydro Corporation. It spans 600 hectares across Rulindo and Gakenke districts in the Northern Province, and Kamonyi District in the Southern Province.

Although the project was originally scheduled for completion by December 2026, construction delays have pushed the expected completion date to 2027 or 2028.

The Director General of EDCL, Felix Gakuba, revealed that most of the plant's equipment has been manufactured in China and is already in transit to Rwanda.