Page 8 - Vol 33 Issue 34 2021

News briefs
news briefs

According to the statement, the project will also see the upgrade,
rehabilitation and extension of 1,720 kilometres of low voltage network,
and distribution of transformers in secondary cities with high load.
It is expected to improve the reliability and stability of power supply
____________________________ across the country, expand electricity access and contribute to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by enabling access to clean energy.
In addition, it is expected to bolster education by extending students’
South Africa access to light for study, and benefit small and medium enterprises while
enhancing job creation for youth.
The project is part of the Rwanda Universal Energy Access Program
Ramaphosa Announces (RUEAP), which seeks among other goals, to achieve universal access to
Significant Step in Reforming Energy Sector electricity by 2024.
It is also aligned with the country’s long-term development framework,
Vision 2050.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, together with Minister of Mineral Resources The Bank said that it also draws from two of its High-5 strategic
and Energy Gwede Mantashe, announced a significant step in further priorities: Light Up and Power Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for
reforming the electricity sector towards the achievement of a stable and the People of Africa.
secure supply of energy. The funding will ease pressure on the Energy Development Corporation
Following an extensive public consultation process undertaken by the Limited (EDCL) which faces a serious shortfall in the national budget
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Schedule 2 of the Electricity allocation for the 2021/2022 fiscal year.
Regulation Act will be amended to increase the licensing threshold for Ron Weiss, the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Energy Group (REG),
embedded generation projects from 1 MW to 100 MW. recently told parliament the country needs an annual investment spend
New generation projects up to 100 MW in size will now be registered of Rwf400 billion to achieve its energy goals by 2024.
and will be able to connect to the grid. Yet, he added, the money available for the coming fiscal year, which
Generation facilities will still need to have their registration approved begins on July 1, is just Rwf40 billion.
by the regulator and meet all of the associated requirements, including As of February 2021, the national electricity connectivity rate was 60.9
grid connection approval from the network provider. per cent of Rwandan households.
Generators will be allowed to sell electricity to one or more end-use These included 45 per cent connected to the national grid and 15.9 per
customers, on the condition that they are registered and have secured cent accessing energy through off-grid systems (mainly solar), according
grid connection approval. to data from REG.
This intervention is undertaken within the broader context of electricity While the current targets envisage a 100 per cent access to electricity
industry reforms currently underway. The raising of the licensing by 2024, all productive users are expected to be connected before the
threshold is expected to unlock significant investment in new generation end of this year, according to the utility agency.
capacity in the short and medium term. To achieve this, REG intends to increase the number of new connections
President Ramaphosa said: “This decision reflects our determination by 500,000 every year, including 200,000 on-grid and 300,000 off-grid.
to take the necessary action to achieve energy security and reduce the
impact of load shedding on businesses and households across the ____________________________
country.”
____________________________ Mozambique
Rwanda Mozambican Government Signs

Gas and Energy Pact
Rwanda Secures $84 Million for
Electricity Rollout The Mozambican government and cooperation
partners signed the technical and commercial agreements for the
Temane Gas and Energy Projects, in the southern province of Inhambane,
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved $84.22 million paving the way for the start of the envisaged construction work.
in loans and grants to electrify nearly 77,470 rural households in south The first of the three projects involved is for the exploration of additional
Rwanda. gas fields, adjacent to the Pande and Temane fields, in an investment led
The funding released through a project dubbed Transmission System by the South African petrochemical company Sasol, in partnership with
Reinforcement and Last Mile Connectivity, is designed to advance Mozambique’s National Hydrocarbon Company (ENH).
Rwanda’s efforts of universal electrification by 2024, AfDB said in a Second, is the Temane Thermal Power Station, led by Globeleq (an
statement, adding it would also benefit small businesses and youth. institution formed by Norwegian and British funds), working with the
Approved in May, the funds comprise a loan of $36.77 million and a publicly owned Electricity Company, (EDM) and Sasol. Producing 450
grant worth $47.45 million. megawatts, this will be the largest power station built since Mozambican
Some of the activities under the project involve the construction of 595 independence in 1975.
kilometres of medium voltage distribution lines and 1,620 kilometres of The third project is for the Temane-Maputo high voltage (400KV) power
low voltage distribution networks in six districts of southern Rwanda. line, running for 650 kilometres which will be fully owned by EDM.

8 | AFRICAN POWER Mining & Oil Review Vol33 Issue 34 2021