Geography

Topic area
Human and economic Geography
Sub-topic area
Economic activities

Key unit competence
By the end of this unit, you should be able to investigate the impact of power and energy production on sustainable development in Rwanda.
Unit objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
 • Recall the forms of energy used in Rwanda and the difference between renewable and non renewable energy.
• State factors favouring power production in Rwanda.
 • Give the importance of power and energy in Rwanda.
 • Identify the factors that hinder the potential exploitation of rivers in Rwanda in production of power and energy.

Major sources and forms of energy used in Rwanda

Activity 15.1
 Work in pairs.
1. Define energy.
2. Use the Internet and other geographical documents, identify the major sources of energy used in Rwanda.
3. Classify the sources as either renewable or non-renewable and state their difference.
4. Write down your findings and discuss them in a class presentation.
Power is the ability to do work. Energy is power derived from the utilisation of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines. Energy is essential in the manufacturing process in which goods and services are produced, processed and transported. The sources of energy used in Rwanda include; wind, hydroelectric power, solar, natural gas, biogas and petrol. The sources of energy are classified into two. They are renewable and non renewable sources of energy.

(a) Renewable sources of energy
 These are sources of energy that cannot be exhausted. They have the capacity of refilling themselves after being used. The production of such energy is endless because the energy is regenerated naturally. In Rwanda, the renewable sources of energy that are in use include the ones listed in table 15.1.
             
(a) Hydroelectric power
This is power that is generated from running water. A dam is constructed along a river to store water. The water is then made to fall over a turbine. The turbine rotates and this rotation causes it to turn on the electric generator that produces electricity. Rwanda’s major rivers have proven potential to support hydropower plants in a total of 333 sites across the country.
                     
(b) Solar energy
This is energy derived from radiation from the sun. It is obtained by the use of solar panels which directly transform sun light into electricity. The solar power station in Rwanda is located in Jali in Gasabo District Kigali Province.
                        
(c) Biogas
Biogas is used in some homesteads and institutions in Rwanda. It is obtained from organic matter such as cow dung. It is used to provide light, for cooking and for domestic heating.

(d) Biomass
 This is the energy produced from organic matter (plants and animals). It is used in the form of firewood, charcoal or agricultural residues. It is mainly used as a source of energy in cooking. This is the most commonly used form of energy in the rural areas of Rwanda
                             
(e) Geothermal energy
The source of this energy is from the huge amounts of heat within the earth. The heat in the Earth’s interior is tapped as geothermal energy. Superheated steam from heated underground water is used to turn turbines which run generators that produce power.
This source of energy is not yet in use in Rwanda. Examples of geothermal energy potential sites in Rwanda are around Lake Kivu, Nyakabuye in Bugarama and Rugaryi in Western Province. Technical exploration studies are being conducted. The estimated potential for power generation from geothermal energy is more than 700 MW.

Non-renewable sources of energy
 These are forms of energy that can be depleted. Examples of this energy include the following
 (a) Oil
 This is a source of energy that involves the burning of fossil fuels especially oil or petroleum to run generators. Currently, the oil products consumed in Rwanda are valued at 90,000 tonnes. Since there is no oil in Rwanda, petroleum products in Rwanda are imported.
 (b) Peat coal
These are charcoal-like-material deposits that are under the earth’s surface. It is present in the swamps of Eastern Province of Rwanda. It is extracted in the swampy areas of Kamiranzovu and along River Akanyaru. It is used to generate power in homes and other institutions. An example of a peat extraction centre is the Gisagara peat power plant.
 (c) Methane gas
An estimated 100 to 150 million cubic metres of methane gas is generated annually in Lake Kivu. The quantity of methane available in Lake Kivu is believed to be sufficient to power 700 MW of electricity generation over a period of 55 years. Rwanda’s proportion is 350 MW (50%).

Activity 15.2
Work in groups of three. Despite the depletion and overutilisation of the non-renewable sources of energy in Rwanda, the energy sources can still be harnessed.
1. Giving examples, suggest ways in which renewable and non renewable sources of energy in Rwanda can be protected and efficiently utilised.
 2. Write down your suggestions and discuss them in a class presentation.
Activity 15.3
 Work in pairs. Power production in Rwanda is not fully exploited.
1. Suggest ways in which the Rwanda government can improve on the utilisation of the sources of energy that are available in the country.
2. Write up a report on your suggestions and present it in class.

Task 15.1
1. Differentiate between power and energy.
2. Giving examples, distinguish between renewable and non renewable sources of energy.

The factors favouring power production in Rwanda

 Activity 15.4
Your teacher will organise a field visit for you to a power station. In groups of five;
 1. Find out the factors that favour power production in the station.
 2. Write a report on the factors that have favoured power production in the station.
3. Using the Internet and other geographical documents, find out other factors that favour power production.
4. Write down your findings and discuss them in a class presentation.
There are several factors that have favoured power production in Rwanda. They include the following:
(a) Supportive government policies such as the establishment of the rural electrification program.
 (b) Presence of large volumes of water in the rivers for the generation of hydroelectric power.
 (c) Availability of ready internal and external markets for the power.
(d) The availability of waterfalls and hard rocks that favour the generation of hydroelectric power.
                               
(e) The political stability that prevails in the country has enabled the established power and energy stations to run.
(f) The availability of capital to buy the equipment that is needed for setting up the power generating stations.
g) Availability of advanced technology.
Availability of skilled labour in all levels.
 (i) The presence of forests such as Nyungwe, Gishwati and other private forests.
(j) The availability of a variety of sources of power that include solar, peat coal, wind and biogas.

The importance of power in the development of Rwanda

Case Study
 Dusabimana Justin is a student in one of the schools in the Western Province of Rwanda. She is a day scholar. She is the oldest child in her home and she always has to help around with household chores. She hardly got time to revise her school work and do her homework. To add onto her problems, there was no power in her home.
After sometime, thanks to the rural electrification programme, her home was connected to the national grid. She began studying at night and doing her homework in time. Her performance in class improved. Her mother stopped using firewood because she could now afford to use a cooker. They also bought rechargeable lamps. Her school uniform was neat because she could easily iron it. During the weekends, she could listen to music and watch her favourite programmes on television. In a location that is not far from her home, a tea factory was opened that provided employment to the people in her sector. The area soon developed into an urban centre because of the activities around the tea factory.
(a) Name the source of power that changed Justin’s life.
(b) List the importance of power from Justin’s story.
 (c) Find out and discuss other importance of power that are not highlighted in Justin’s story.
 (d) Write down your answers and discuss them in a class presentation.

Activity 15.5
 Look at the area near your home, school and the nearest urban centre;
1. Write down your observations on the importance and uses of power in the mentioned areas.
2. Find out the contribution of power to the economy of the regions mentioned and to the country as a whole.
 3. Write down your findings and discuss them in a class presentation.
The availability of power is important in the development of Rwanda as discussed below.
 (a) Power is important for domestic uses hence raising the standards of living of the people.
 (b) Power is important in the development of industry. Most industries use electricity and petroleum to run engines in the industries.
(c) Petroleum is used to run vehicles hence facilitating transport systems in the country.
 (d) Petroleum and electricity are often used to run water pumps and other agricultural machinery.
(e) Electricity contributes a lot in running activities in schools, hospitals and printing industries.
(f) Power contributes to the growth and development of urban centres.
 (g) Power contributes to the development of trade and commerce by facilitating the operations of the various businesses.
  The availability of power helps in making an area a potential tourist attraction centre.

The problems hindering the development of energy and possible solutions in Rwanda

Activity 15.6
 Works in pairs. Use the Internet, Geography textbooks and other geographical documents;
1. Find out the problems that hinder the development of energy in the country.
2. Suggest possible solutions to the problems you have identified.
 3. Use your findings for a class discussion.
The power and energy development in Rwanda is affected by a number of challenges. They include the following:
 (a) Limited technological advancement
 This forces the country to depend on foreign nations. This increases the cost of energy production.
 (b) Poor economic structures
 This has limited the market for power and energy since a large proportion of the population is not economically empowered.
(c) Illiteracy
Due to illiteracy, part of the rural population in the country is hesitant to use electricity.
(d) Climatic changes
 Much of Rwanda still uses hydroelectric power which depends on the availability of water in the rivers. When there is drought the production of electricity is affected.
 (e) The break-down of facilities
 Due to poor technology, sometimes breakdown of machines disrupt power generation and distribution. Sometimes, the country has to depend on expatriate expertise. This causes delays and is also expensive raising the cost of power production.
(f) Lack of adequate capital
Setting up of power stations is a very capital intensive venture. The capital needed is usually not readily available because of other competing needs.
(g) Limited alternative sources of powe
r Due to the use and dependence on hydro electricity, the other alternative sources of energy have not been developed. This creates a power shortage in the country whenever it fails.
  Limited research
Research is very important in harnessing power. The ability and resources to research further on hydroelectricity power production as well as in other alternative sources of energy is limited.
 (i) Inaccessibility of some areas that are power potential sites
Due to the hilly and mountainous terrain of the country, it is difficult to construct roads and other infrastructure. This limits access to other areas that are power generation potential sites.
 (j) Silting and flooding
 A majority of the rivers in Rwanda carry a lot of eroded materials from the mountainous areas. They end up depositing a lot of silt and mud on their river beds. The silt may interfere with the generation of power.
 (k) Water weeds
The heavy presence of water weeds interferes with the flow of rivers and thus the flow of water that is required in the generation of hydroelectricity.
 (l)Opposition from the conservationists
The generation of hydroelectricity is sometimes hindered by conservationists who are opposed to the damming of rivers for environmental conservation reasons.

Possible solutions to the problems affecting power and energy production in Rwanda

Activity 15.7
 1. Suggest solutions to the power shortages and surges that are frequently experienced in Rwanda.
 2. Write down your suggested solutions and present them in a class discussion.
Some of the solutions to the problems affecting power and energy production in the country include the following:
 (a) Use of diversified sources of energy
 In many areas of Rwanda, homesteads have been connected to renewable power such as solar energy. This mostly works in rural areas and in urban areas as an alternative to hydroelectric power.
(b) Efficient transmission and distribution power
 This has been one of the government’s top agenda. It has been implemented through the rural electrification programme that has assisted many homes to have power.
 (c) Emphasise on the use of renewable energy
Both the government and private sector in Rwanda emphasise on the need to use renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy.
(d) Construction of more power plants
 The construction and establishment of more power stations especially hydroelectric power stations will help in boosting power production in the country.
(e) Training human resource
The government should commit itself in training more people in power and energy specific courses. These people will help in providing the much needed expertise in the energy sector.
(f) Creation of buffer areas around power stations.
The creation of protected areas and buffer zones of 50 metres around water bodies and power stations will assist in reducing the silting of dams and power stations in the country
 (g) Harvesting of water weeds
There should be more effort put in the harvesting of water weeds especially the water hyacinth which is steadily spreading in the country’s water bodies.
  Regular inspection of machinery
There should be regular inspection of machines and equipment used in the production of power and energy. This will help in avoiding mechanical problems such as transformer breakdowns.
(i) Construction of feeder roads
Roads should be constructed to open up potential power sites in the rural areas. This will enable investors to invest in power and energy production in the remote areas.
 (j) Dredging the rivers and water reservoirs behind the dams
There should be an effort to remove the silt that is deposited around the dams.
 (k) Affordable prices
 The government together with other parties involved in the production of power and energy should device a fair power pricing system. This will make power affordable and available to all.
(l) Environmental assessment reports
There should be serious environmental assessment studies carried out before and during the power production periods. This will help to prevent environmental hazards beforehand.
 (m)Mass education
The people of Rwanda should be educated on power and energy saving ways in order to avoid unnecessary power wastage.
  Importing power
The government of Rwanda should import power from other neighbouring countries where power, especially hydroelectric power is in abundance.

 Task 15.2
1. Discuss three factors that favour power production in Rwanda.
2. Explain the importance of power to the development of Rwanda.
3. Give five problems hindering the development of power and energy in Rwanda.
Case studies
 (a) Mukungwa I and II power stations
These power and energy generating stations are located in the Northern Province of Rwanda in Musanze district. They are all situated along River Mukungwa. Which connects Lakes Burera and Ruhondo. River Mukungwa is an outlet of Lake Ruhondo. Water that flowed from the hills to this lakes was tapped into a dam to generate electricity. The site was suitable for the construction of the dam and due to the waterfalls from the hills and the presence of hard rocks. The Mukungwa I power station is located at the geographical coordinates that lie between latitude: 1°32’16.08” and longitude: 29°41’3.12”. It is found at an altitude of about 1651 metres above sea level. The power station produces about 12 Mega Watts (MW) of power. Its construction began in 1978 and it began its operations in 1982. The station produces power of differing voltages basing on the need for the power generated.
There is one section that produces high voltage power that is meant to supply power and energy to Kigali while the other section produces medium voltage power that serves Musanze and Rubavu towns with their associated rural areas. The power station faces the challenge of reduction of the water levels in the dam that causes reduced power generation. As an effort to boost the electricity generation capacity of the station, another station, Mukungwa II was constructed to provide additional power to the national power grid.
                
Mukungwa II on the hand began its operations in 2010. It produces 2.5MW of power to the national power grid. These two power stations have created employment opportunities and provided reliable power supplies to the various institutions. The stations are responsible for the development of Musanze town which is a major tourist urban centre in Rwanda.

(b) Rusizi II power station
This power station was developed on River Rusizi which is the only outlet of Lake Kivu.
Rusizi I was established in 1958 while Rusizi II power station was constructed in 1989. The operations and management of these two power stations was a joint project between Rwanda and her partners who are Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Rusizi I power project has the capacity of producing 30 MW of hydroelectric power while Rusizi II has a capacity to produce approximately 44 MW of power.
                                  
Activity 15.8
Work in groups of five.
Your teacher will organise for you to visit a hydroelectric power station in the country. While on the site, observe the following;
1. The major source and form of energy in the station visited.
2. Classify the energy as either renewable or non-renewable.
3. Find out the factors that favour the production of the power at the station.
4. Find out the challenges in the production of the form of energy produced at the station.
5. Suggest possible solutions to the problems identified.
 6. Write a report on your findings and observations.
7. Report your findings in a class presentation.

Activity 15.9
Do this in pairs.
1. Through the concerned ministries, find out the government’s long term plan in coping with the increasing demand for power due to the increasing population.
2. Suggest ways in which the government will cope with the increasing demand for power with the increasing population.
3. Write a report on the findings of your investigations and suggestions.
 4. Present your findings and suggestions in a class presentation.

Did you know?
• Electricity accounts for only about 4% of primary energy use in Rwanda
• Biomass contributes 85% and petroleum products account for the rest.
• The country currently has about 96 MW of installed capacity
• Approximately 13% of households are connected to the grid.
 • Current electrification rate for Rwanda is 9% with 142,697 connections.
• Rwanda’s electrical energy derives chiefly from hydroelectric sources.
• All of Rwanda’s refined petroleum products are imported.
• Rwanda has no proven reserves of coal, crude oil, or oil refining capacity, although the country has proven reserves of natural gas.

End of unit revision task

1. (a) Name and describe the sources of power and energy used in Rwanda.
    (b) Distinguish between renewable energy and non-renewable energy in the context of Rwanda.
2. To what extent is the presence of waterfalls responsible for the development of power and energy production in Rwanda?
3. Examine the advantages of using the following sources of power and energy in Rwanda.
   (a) Biogas
   (b) Hydroelectric power
   (c) Solar energy
4. Explain the differences that exist between biomass and biogas as sources of energy used in Rwanda.
5. Examine the factors that have favoured power production in Rwanda.
6.  (a) Define rural electrification.
     (b) Explain why the government of Rwanda advocates for transmission and distribution of power and energy to rural areas.
 7. Analyse the importance of power production to the economic development of Rwanda.
8. Describe the effects of power generating stations and operation on the environment.
9. Explain how you would address the challenges affecting power production in Rwanda.
10.  (a) Name two areas where hydroelectric power stations are found in Rwanda.
       (b) Explain the factors that favoured power production in any one of the areas identified in (a) above. 11. Study the table below and fill in the areas in Rwanda where the respective energy production takes place.