Ruzizi III (DFS)
Sector : Energy
Description : Hydroelectric plant with a capacity of 145 MW to share power among Rwanda, Burundi and DRC promoted by CEPGL
Countries : Rwanda/DRC
RECs : COMESA/EAC
Economic sustainability and expected benefits : Besides addressing the shortages in electricity generation in the sub-region and substituting for high-cost gas/oil based power generation; the project is expected to contribute to the stabilization of the region. Ruzizi I and II have never stopped operating in spite of the lasting war in the Great Lakes region.
Status : Feasibility study for the project completed by Sofreco and Fichtner in 2008-11.
Way forward : Subject to the successful negotiations on the exemptions and development cost pass through, the signing of the PPP contract between EGL and the private sector consortium is expected in August 2014; financial closure (August 2016); beginning of construction in 2017; and construction completion in 2020.