The East African Power, a local energy firm has announced entering into a joint venture with its Canadian counterpart Afritech Energy to set up four hydropower plants in Bihongora, Karambo II, Gatare-Sebeya and Muregeya.

Two out of the four projects namely Bihongora Hydropower and the Karambo II Hydropower Project are situated on the Bihongora River in Kanama Sector and the Karambo River in Rubavu District respectively.

The Gatare-Sebeya Hydropower Project is situated in the Kanombe Sector, Rutsiro District, in the Western Province where it is to combine water from the Gatare and the Sebeya Rivers into one powerhouse.

While Muregeya Cascades the fourth Hydropower Project is to include four separate hydropower plants along the Muregeya River in Mushubati and Mukura Sectors in Rutsiro District.

According to officials, the Bihongora (5.3MW) and Karambo II (0.7MW) projects are scheduled to begin by mid-2016, while Gatare-Sebeya (1.3MW) and the first of the Muregeya Cascades (4.2MW) projects will begin later in 2016.

Dan Munkittrick (photo), the chairperson of East African Power estimated the project to be about $40 million. Meanwhile, the company had first committed $500,000 to the hydropower projects anticipating it to produce 11MW when completed. "We invest in villages because we want them empowered economically. Rwanda has a vision for change, a vision that is aimed at transforming the lives of the citizens. This is our opportunity, too, and it's not for just making financial profits but to transform lives. Our model beneficiaries are children, rural women and to improve the social impact. We are here because we know that increase in power generation will enable development in the community. That's why we titled it ‘empowering villages’," Munkittrick said.

Rwanda is currently generating 160 MW from its installed capacity and is looking to generate up to 563 MW by 2017 from the hydropower project, the New Times news reports.