Power up, Rwanda, Part 2
By Perry Beeman | October 21, 2009 | United States
Here’s another couple of tidbits about Rwanda’s bid to get electricity to its nearly 10 million people.
So far, 130,000 homes and business are hooked up to the grid.
The goal is add 250,000 more in the short term. By 2012, 16 percent of population should be in dwellings connected to the grid.
That does not mean the people can afford the power, which is highly expensive. The government is looking to subsidize the industry.
And we’re talking about power for energy efficient light bulbs in most cases, not electric appliances, flat screen TVs and refrigerators.
When you order a beverage in Rwanda, they ask if you want it warm or cold. Apparently many over there are so used to warm sodas and beer they prefer it that way. Often, in the villages, you don’t get a choice. It’s warm, or nothing.
The country has an impressive collection of projects to increase power through hydroelectric dams, solar, wind, and by burning methane trapped on the bottom of Lake Kivu. For example, by next summer 64 health centers and 200 schools will be powered by solar. The government wants to burn methane extracted from the Nyanza landfill to generate power, too. There are plans to turn organic trash into diesel fuel, too.
The country is also looking to burn peat, and has a fledgling biodiesel industry using Jatropha trees and shrubs as feedstock.
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