THE VERGE OF GEOTHERMAL IN RWANDA

Rwanda: Geothermal Drilling to Start in August
Frank Kanyesigye, 10 March 2011 (AllAfrica)

"The [Rwanda] State Minister for Energy and Water, Eng. Coletha Ruhamya, said that the exploration of geothermal energy is…on track and the drilling is expected to start [this] August…Ruhamya stressed that a pilot plant that will produce 10 Megawatts is likely to be completed by December 2012.

"An electricity master plan indicates Geothermal energy is expected to contribute over 300 MW to the national grid by 2017, and could contribute about 50% of the energy requirements by 2020…"

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"[E]xploration wells will be drilled to prove the availability of the resource and steam…[That] will lower risks and help to determine the exact size of the resources and therefore attract private sector participation in geothermal development.

"The Ministry of Infrastructure has identified the southern slopes of Karisimbi as the highest potential area for exploration…Ruhamya [has said] that, for the entire project to be a success, it needed at least $900 million…[Political leaders] expect the money to come from the government and private sector."