Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva has been briefed on the operations of the Shema Power Plant, which generates 56 megawatts of electricity from methane gas extracted from Lake Kivu.
The plant has played a significant role in increasing Rwanda’s electricity supply through the extraction and processing of methane gas from the lake. The briefing took place on September 6, 2025, during the Prime Minister’s working visit to Rubavu District.
He was informed that the plant has already added 50 megawatts to the national grid, while the remaining six megawatts are used to sustain the plant’s operations.
Located in Busoro Cell, Nyamyumba Sector, Rubavu District, the construction of the Shema Power Plant began in October 2019 and was completed in February 2024, with an investment of 400 billion Rwandan francs.
The first phase of methane gas exploitation from Lake Kivu dates back to May 2016, when the project began supplying 25 megawatts to the grid.
The Government of Rwanda has prioritized expanding electricity access as part of its economic recovery and development agenda. A major milestone was the launch of the Electricity Access Rollout Program (EARP) in 2009, aimed at significantly increasing the number of households with electricity connections across the country.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
