This Technology Transfer Advances Rwanda's
- Nationally Determined Contribution to achieve reduced greenhouse gas emissions through a low carbon energy mix
Context
In Rwanda, energy sector plays a vital role in supporting socio-economic evolution and has a close connection to the growth of other economic sectors. The country has both renewable and non-renewable energy sources. The pollution from burning biomass and petroleum products is a major concern to climate change in Rwanda.
Geothermal power is clean, renewable, reliable and large-scale energy resource. There is an estimated potential of up to 100 MW of geothermal power in Rwanda. Geothermal energy could produce electricity at four times less the cost of diesel generated electricity currently in use in Rwanda. It could also replace oil-fuel power plants.
The exploitation of geothermal energy, together with other renewable energy sources, will provide energy security, reduce energy costs and vulnerability to external economic shocks and ultimately promote economic development. In addition, geothermal resources in Rwanda can be used as alternative energy sources for agricultural purposes.
CTCN Support
To prove the viability of the Bugarama geothermal resources:
- Detailed geological and hydrogeological studies
- Geochemical studies
- Shallow temperature mapping
- Geophysics
- Thermal Gradient Wells
- Market survey for direct uses
Expected Impact
This technical assistance will set out a pathway for the development of geothermal resources in Bugarama with the primary objective of mitigating domestic greenhouse gas emissions, and that will also have other economic, environmental, social and cultural co-benefits with an emphasis on gender equality:
- Increased energy sovereignty as a result on reduced dependence on oil
- Reduced costs in a context on increasing fossil fuel prices