The Nyabarongo II Hydropower Project has reached 57 percent completion, according to the latest update from the Energy Development Corporation Limited (EDCL). The US$214 million project is expected to be fully operational by December 2027 and will include a lake that will become the fourth largest in Rwanda. The hydropower plant is being built along the Nyabarongo River between Kamonyi District in the Southern Province and Gakenke District in the Northern Province, with related development activities extending to the districts of Ngororero, Nyabihu, and Muhanga. Once completed, the dam will g

The Nyabarongo II Hydropower Project has reached 57 percent completion, according to the latest update from the Energy Development Corporation Limited (EDCL). The US$214 million project is expected to be fully operational by December 2027 and will include a lake that will become the fourth largest in Rwanda. The hydropower plant is being built along the Nyabarongo River between Kamonyi District in the Southern Province and Gakenke District in the Northern Province, with related development activities extending to the districts of Ngororero, Nyabihu, and Muhanga. Once completed, the dam will generate 43.5 megawatts of electricity. On Friday, August 21, 2025, Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, visited the construction site to assess progress. Authorities say the project will play a key role in meeting Rwanda’s rising demand for electricity. “As the country develops, the need for electricity increases. This hydropower plant will help meet that demand and will operate continuously, unlike solar and methane systems,” said Minister of Infrastructure,  Jimmy  Gasore. He added that relocating residents is necessary because the dam requires creating a lake stretching from Kamonyi and Gakenke through Muhanga and Ngororero to the sectors of Vunga and Shyira in Nyabihu District. Beyond energy production, officials also highlighted the project’s importance for water security. “During the rainy season, filtration systems often struggle with heavy sediment, while dry seasons bring shortages. The Nyabarongo II reservoir will help stabilise water availability throughout the year and reduce the need for chemicals in water treatment,” Gasore said. About 3,000 residents living near the construction site are expected to be relocated to allow enough space for project facilities, including the 67-kilometer reservoir. Because the project will occupy 6,000 hectares, residents who must relocate will be moved to government-designated areas equipped with essential services. The relocation will be carried out in phases. In September, the Rwanda Energy Group (REG) announced that the government had allocated 70 billion Rwandan francs to compensate property owners affected by the project. According to EDCL, US$93 million or 43.7 percent of the total budget  has already been spent. Completed works so far include 54.5 percent of the powerhouse, where turbines will generate electricity, and 41 percent of the dam wall. The transmission line section stands at 6.4 percent, while 32.6 percent of the spillway, which releases excess water, has been completed. The reservoir will stretch 67 kilometers, reach a depth of 59 meters, and hold 803 million cubic meters of water, making it the country’s fourth-largest water body. The project also includes future plans for irrigation and water transport.

The Nyabarongo II Hydropower Project is one of the key initiatives driving the country’s push to boost electricity generation.

Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva visited the Nyabarongo II Hydropower Project

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