He made this statement on November 25, 2025, at the opening of Africa Energy Expo, which is taking place in Kigali.
The energy sector in Rwanda has visibly progressed. In 2000, only 2% of the population had access to electricity. By 2010, this had increased to 10%, and today, 85% of the population have access to electricity.
Rwanda is a member of the "Eastern Africa Power Pool" (EAPP), which consists of 13 countries from East Africa, working together in the energy sector.
The countries in the Eastern Africa Power Pool plan to connect their grids so they can share electricity as needed, and Rwanda has made significant progress in this initiative.
Currently, Rwanda is connected to Uganda, Tanzania, the DRC, and Burundi at three points. These connections include the Rusizi II hydroelectric plant, which provides 36 megawatts of electricity to Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Burundi, with each country receiving 12 megawatts.
Rwanda is also connected to Burundi through the Rusumo Hydro Plant, which has a capacity of 80 megawatts, serving Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi. Each country receives 26.6 megawatts, powering over 1 million citizens, including 520,000 Burundians, 467,000 Rwandans, and 159,000 Tanzanians.
Minister Dr. Gasore also mentioned that work is ongoing on the power line connecting Rwanda and Burundi through Huye District.
'We are also building a third line connecting us with Burundi. [...] The project is nearing completion, connecting Rwanda and Burundi through the South. The line is complete. This way, if there are issues elsewhere, we will have this third option. [...] This shows the willingness of the countries to connect their grids to ensure we have a unified power supply,' he said.
The new power line connecting Rwanda and Burundi will span 143 kilometers, starting from Kigoma in Rwanda, passing through Huye, and reaching Ngozi in the northern part of Burundi, ultimately reaching Gitega, the political capital of Burundi.
On Rwanda's side, the line will be 62 kilometers long, while on Burundi's side, it will be 81 kilometers long. The project, which started in 2022, is expected to be completed in 2024, with an estimated cost of $24.4 million.
This line is designed to transmit 220-kilovolt electricity, but initially, it will operate at 110 kilovolt.
In the next five years, Rwanda plans to invest over $1 billion in projects aimed at generating 1000 megawatts of electricity for various national activities.
Dr. Gasore mentioned projects such as the Nyabarongo II plant, which will provide 43.5 megawatts, scheduled for completion by the end of 2027 at a cost of over $214 million.
He also highlighted the upcoming Rusizi III hydroelectric project, which will provide electricity to over 300,000 people in Rwanda, DRC, and Burundi, with an estimated cost of $800 million.
Additionally, investments in methane gas energy projects are expected to generate 136 megawatts of electricity from methane gas over the next five years.
For solar power, Dr. Gasore also mentioned projects that will generate electricity from the Nyabarongo II hydroelectric plant, providing 43.5 megawatts, with water from the plant being used to create a reservoir that will supply the districts of Gakenke, Kamonyi, Muhanga, Nyabihu, and Ngororero.
This reservoir will also have solar panels to generate electricity, as part of a large-scale solar energy project in Rwanda, aiming for a total of 200 megawatts from solar energy.
Dr. Gasore further explained, 'Floating solar panels on water is a new idea for Rwanda, but it's being done in many places around the world. Rwanda has limited land due to the need for settlement and agriculture, and solar energy requires large areas. By using floating panels, we can generate power without taking up land used for other purposes, such as farming or construction. This provides a new opportunity to increase our solar energy capacity.'
Currently, Rwanda produces 406 megawatts of electricity, with 109.66 megawatts coming from hydroelectric plants, 85.79 megawatts from methane gas, which accounts for 18% of total energy production.
Electricity generated from peat is 85 megawatts, also 18%, while solar power accounts for 12 megawatts, or 3%.
Rwanda also receives 39 megawatts (8%) from joint projects with other countries, while it imports 106.1 megawatts (23%) of electricity, mainly from Uganda. However, the country is committed to various projects that will help provide electricity to 100% of its population.
IGIHE
