“Rwanda is situated in the Rift Valley and lays within the same zone as Kenya which vast experience in geothermal projects,” said Mark Serafino, Coordinator for Renewable Energy at the Institute for University Cooperation (ICU).
He made the remarks March 01, following a tour of three geothermal sites in Kinigi, Karisimbi, and Nyamyumba, which stretch over 3-4 Km. He also attended the Forum held in Kigali.
Serafino indicated that Rwanda needs technical support which Italian universities can provide in the form of academic training. “Like Kenya, Drilling is possible in Rwanda. Geothermal resources are present here. It is a sign that geothermal energy can be exploited. Geological data is accurate, and studies are complete,” he said.
“In Rwanda, drilling can be done safely as in Kenya. The expert studies have pin-pointed the sites.”
Serafino said he met EWASA of Experts who where Trieste, Italy, for a UNIDO event on geothermal energy. Countries represented at the session were Rwanda, DRC, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Comoros. The training workshop in Trieste was funded by UNIDO to provide training on geothermal resources.
The Italian expert worked with EWASA on small pilot projects of water production. Following Trieste workshop, Rwanda has initiated small pilot projects in geothermal. When it comes to geothermal resources in Rwanda, Serafino is a familiar face. He will however focus on low temperature sites as in Kenya.
“For me, I will devote myself to the low temperature geothermal resources Bugarama and Kinigi,” he said. And what advice would he give to EWSA on geothermal, the Italian experts said the agency should raise money and to start work as planned.
The Coordinator of the Geothermal Development unit at EWSA, Aimable Habinshuti, said the first phase was underway.
“This first phase is funded by the Government to the tune of US$45 million. The expectation is that these geothermal projects based in the Western Province pcould roduce 310 MW in six years,” he said.
Habinshuti has a background in heat mechanics. He holds a Masters degree in Geothermal Resources has obtained from a Japanese university where he spent two years.