Ruzizi Regional Hydroelectric Power Plants

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The social and economic development of the Great Lakes region is hampered by a serious lack of modern energy. The national electricity markets are characterized by inadequate electricity supplies and poor network infrastructure on the one hand, and high generation costs and unfavorable structural conditions on the other. In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in the provinces of North and South Kivu, the situation is even more aggravated because the region is not connected to the national interconnected grid. The three neighboring countries of Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC want to overcome this obstacle by building the Ruzizi III hydroelectric power plant on the border river of the same name. The Ruzizi III HPP is being implemented via a project company, Ruzizi III Energy Limited (REL). Under the leadership of the regional organization EGL (Energie des Grands Lacs), the construction of the Ruzizi III HPP is to be implemented as a public-private partnership (PPP) with significant participation from a private investor via a project company, Ruzizi Energy Limited (REL). The total cost of building the Ruzizi III HPP is estimated at around USD 795 million (approx. EUR 736 million). Financing is provided primarily by bilateral and multilateral development banks. FC is supporting the regional project with a FC grant to Burundi of EUR 14.5 million. The construction and rehabilitation of the HPP will significantly increase the amount of electricity available in the region and will contribute to a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly electricity supply in the region (project objective). The target group of the project are electricity consumers in Rwanda, Burundi and eastern Congo, who will benefit from an improved electricity supply and lower generation costs.