Rwamagana Solar Power Station

Rwanda Solar Power Station
Country Rwanda
Location Rwamagana
Coordinates 02°01′34″S 30°22′38″E / 2.02611°S 30.37722°E / -2.02611; 30.37722Coordinates: 02°01′34″S 30°22′38″E / 2.02611°S 30.37722°E / -2.02611; 30.37722
Status Operational
Construction began 2014
Commission date 2015[1]
Owner(s) GigaWatt Global
Operator(s) GigaWatt Global
Solar field
Type Flat-panel PV
Power generation
Nameplate capacity 8.5 MW

Rwamagana Solar Power Station is a 8.5MW solar power plant in Rwanda,[2] the fourth-largest economy in the East African Community.

Location

The power station is located on leased land, at the campus of Agahozo Shalom Youth Village, in Rwamagana District, Eastern Rwanda, approximately 58 kilometres (36 mi), by road, southeast of Kigali, the capital and largest city in the country.[3] The coordinates of the power station are:2°01'34.0"S, 30°22'38.0"E (Latitude:-2.026111; Longitude:30.377222).[4]

Overview

In July 2013, the government of Rwanda contracted with GigaWatt Global, a Dutch firm, to develop an 8.5 Megawatt solar power plant in Rwamagana District, Eastern Province, for a contract price of US$23 million (RwF:15 billion). GigaWatt Global would finance, build, own and operate the facility for 25 years, with the power produced sold to Rwanda Energy, the national electricity utility.[2]

In February 2014, GigaWatt Global was able to reach financial closure, allowing construction to begin. Interconnection to the national electricity grid was achieved in July 2014, and by September 2014, the power plant was producing at maximum capacity. The power station consists of 28,360 individual photovoltaic panels spread out on a 50 acres (20 ha) field. The final construction price, including the cost to access the national grid came to US$23.7 million. Funding came from multiple sources, including (a) Netherlands Development Finance Company (b) Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund and (c) Norfund. The United States Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Finland's Energy and Environment Partnership provided grants.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Musoni, Edwin (4 February 2015). "Rwamagana 8.5MW Solar Plant To Be Commissioned Today". New Vision. Kigali. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  2. 1 2 RwandaExpress (22 July 2013). "Government Signs 8.5MW Solar Energy Deal". RwandaExpress Quoting New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  3. ↑ GFC, . (24 July 2015). "Road Distance Between Kigali And Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village With Route Marker". Globefeed.com (GFC). Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  4. ↑ Google (24 July 2015). "Location of Rwamagana Solar Power Station At Google Maps" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  5. ↑ Administrator, . (19 July 2015). "In Rwanda, Israelis And Americans Launch East Africa's First Commercial Solar Field". Rwa.one. Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
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