Rwanda's dependency on foreign energy
Rwanda currently faces significant challenges regarding its energy dependency, heavily relying on imported energy sources to meet its needs. The country has a high population density, with a considerable portion living in rural communities that depend on localized energy, particularly wood for cooking. As of 2022, approximately half of the population had access to electricity, with consumption outpacing the installed generation capacity. This gap is primarily addressed through imports from neighboring countries, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
Rwanda’s energy production is primarily derived from hydroelectricity and fossil fuels, with biomass playing a crucial role in household energy consumption. The over-reliance on firewood has led to deforestation and significant environmental concerns. To combat these issues, the Rwandan government is exploring renewable energy sources, including geothermal, wind, and solar power, and improving cooking efficiency to reduce firewood demand. Notably, the country has proven natural gas reserves, which are used domestically. While Rwanda strives to develop its energy resources and attract foreign investment, the challenges of sustainability and energy accessibility remain pressing.
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Rwanda's dependency on foreign energy
Official Name: Republic of Rwanda.
Summary: Rwanda faces a number of energy challenges, including widespread deforestation due to uncontrolled fuelwood consumption, dependence on imported energy sources, and unreliable electricity generation and distribution. The country plans to reduce its carbon footprint by managing forests sustainable and reducing its emissions from fossil fuels.
Rwanda’s population density is one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, with an annual growth rate of 1.62 percent as of 2023. Much of the population lives in rural communities and relies on localized energy sources, such as wood. As of 2022, about half the population had access to electricity. For those who are connected, it is estimated that the country consumed 861.285 million kilowatt-hours of electricity that year.
Installed electricity generation capacity was approximately 273,000 kilowatt-hours as of 2022 while consumption was 861.285 kilowatt-hours. The gap in demand is filled through imports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. In-country energy production comes primarily from hydroelectricity (52.5 percent) and fossil fuels (45.5 percent).
Biomass, in the form of firewood, charcoal, or agricultural residues, is used mostly for cooking in Rwandan households, as well as by some industries. Use of firewood is not only common in rural areas, where it is consumed by 90 percent of households, but also in urban areas (40 percent).
Almost all the firewood (80 percent) used is foraged and therefore does not contribute to a market economy. While consumers may not be open to alternatives that have associated costs, creating a market will encourage efforts to develop environmentally friendly alternatives and reduce the time spent by households for collecting firewood. Fuelwood consumption is expected to increase in the near term, yet the country is already seeing major deficits as well as impacts from deforestation. Efforts are also under way to improve efficiency of the cookstoves in order to reduce demand for firewood.
Rwanda does not have its own petroleum supply and instead depends on imported products from neighboring countries to fulfill its needs of 9,000 barrels per day as of 2022. Rwanda has proven natural gas reserves of 56.634 billion cubic meters and in 2022 produced 60.145 million cubic meters, nearly all of which was consumed domestically.
Management and Development
From 1973 to 2008, Electrogaz (which previously existed under a different name) was responsible for Rwanda’s electricity production and supply. In 2008, the company was split into the Rwanda Energy Corporation and the Rwanda Water and Sanitation Corporation. In 2010, the two merged to form the Energy, Water and Sanitation Corporation (EWSC). EWSC is involved in coordination of all activities involving exploitation of energy resources, sanitation, management of electricity infrastructure, and waste management. In 2014, the government divided the company to create the Water and Sanitation Corporation and Rwanda Energy Group.
Rwanda has a number of undeveloped renewable reserves. Peat is estimated at 155 million tons and could replace wood, charcoal, and fuel oil. Lake Kivu also provides a geothermal resource, with potential power generation estimated at 170 to 320 megawatts. Wind and solar potential are also being explored through support from international investors and governments. Although the country of Rwanda has faced a number of political and economic challenges, it has begun to attract foreign investment in the energy sector.
With assistance from the World Bank and other international financial lending institutions, efforts are under way to deregulate the power sector, conduct feasibility studies on energy alternatives, and increase production and distribution across the country.
Bibliography
Developing Renewables. “Country Energy Information: Rwanda.” www.energyrecipes.org/reports/genericData/Africa/061129%20RECIPES%20country%20info%20 Rwanda.pdf. Accessed 7 Aug. 2024.
"Energy System of Rwanda." US Energy Information Agency, 2021, www.iea.org/countries/rwanda. Accessed 7 Aug. 2024.
Kironde, E. G., ed. Rwanda Environment Management Authority. www.rema.gov.rw/soe/full.pdf. Accessed 7 Aug. 2024.
"Rwanda." The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency, 30 July 2024, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/rwanda/#energy. Accessed 7 Aug. 2024.