The distribution network is made up of a few isolated systems that enable transmission from the power plants of the Northern region, and a main interconnected grid linked with Rwanda and to the East DR Congo. The main grid is 362 km long and is comprised of 110 kV, 70 kV and 35 kV lines.Access to electricity concerns only 1.8% of the population (25,000 customers) and 95% of the electricity is consumed in the capital Bujumbura. Gitega and Bujumbura are the only two cities in Burundi that have a municipal electricity service. The national average electricity consumption per capita is only 20 kWh per year.
A widening electricity supply deficit has negatively impacted the country's macro economic recovery. The government’s strategy to strengthen and reform the energy sector aims to immediately reduce the severe energy supply deficit and to enable sustainable, long term electricity access. Among the priorities are:Increase in emergency thermal generation capacity;Development of hydro power (and other renewable energy) resources;Rehabilitation of energy transmission and distribution systems; Strengthening the performance of the energy and water utility REGIDESO by introducing cost reflective tariffs, debt restructuring, performance based management and technical assistance.Two ongoing IDA-financed infrastructure operations are assisting the Government of Burundi in this regard:The US$50 million Multi-Sectoral Water and Electricity Infrastructure Project (MSWEIP), approved in May 2008, which is providing co-financing for the proposed Global Environment Facility (GEF) energy efficiency project, andThe US$15.4 million Emergency Energy Project (EEP), approved in September 2010. Additional US$2 million are being requested from GEF to ensure a more widespread understanding and use of energy efficient technologies and appliances in Burundi.The Government vision is to reduce the reliance on traditional forms of wood energy use from the present 96% to 70%, increase national capacity from 32 MW to 150 MW and increase the access to power from the present 2% to 20%. They also hope to electrify at least 80% of health centres and secondary schools in off-grid areas using photovoltaics.Energy efficiency measures are now being piloted by REGIDESO as part of Burundi’s first consistent and coordinated energy efficiency program since the end of the country’s long term conflict. With support from the World Bank the first energy efficiency awareness raising campaign, combined with a bulk procurement and distribution of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), was initiated in 2011. The proposed Global Environment Facility project will scale up the scope and effectiveness of the country’s energy efficiency program under development.
Solar energyAverage solar insolation stands at 4-5 kWh/ m2/day. There is a large potential for PV electricity generation in rural parts of Burundi as most regions are not grid-connected. Solar energy is being investigated and utilised as a means of off-grid electrification for rural areas. Institutions such as the Solar Electric Light Fund have also invested in small solar systems for public buildings, such as health centres.Wind energyData on wind patterns has been recorded by the Institute for Agronomic Sciences of Burundi (ISABU), primarily for agricultural purposes, giving a mean wind speed between 4 and 6 m/s. More potential sites probably exist in the higher elevations. Pilot private-sector schemes are currently operational.Biomass energyBiogas is a form of energy adapted well to the needs for Burundi. The current government plan is to produce energy by means of digesters. Fuel-wood accounts for the vast majority of Burundi's energy consumption. However, potential wood consumption in the country is forecast to require production of 180,000 hectares, which surpasses the current forest coverage of 174,000 hectares, suggesting the need for reduction of consumption and the implementation of re-forestation programs. The total sustainable firewood biomass supply from all sources was estimated at 6,400,000 m³ in 2007.Geothermal energy Geothermal resources have been identified in the West Rift Valley region in neighbouring eastern DR Congo. Several geothermal indicators exist in Burundi, but there is little available data to assess commercial viability, the last geothermal study of the region having been conducted in 1968.Hydropower Hydro power provides the majority of the country’s electricity power supply. The resource, however, is not fully exploited yet. There is considerable potential for further development, including micro, mini and small hydro power. Burundi’s theoretical hydropower capacity is 1,700 MW, however, roughly 300 MW is seen as economically viable, and only 32 MW has been exploited.