Rwanda: Using solar power for green growth

| June 20, 2016

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Rwanda has begun turning to solar power in a big way, thanks to economic and political reforms. New laws passed last year now allow foreign investment in renewable energy, opening the door for Kenyan companies such as SunCulture.

Rwanda’s economy is growing at a rate of about seven per cent a year. It also has one of the world’s lowest rates of greenhouse gas emissions per capita.

Claver Gatete is Rwanda’s minister of finance and economic planning. He says that, in order to preserve this distinction and continue strong economic growth, the country must maintain its focus on renewable energy.

A government-run power station now produces 10 per cent of the country’s electricity output.

Mr. Gatete says, “Use of renewable [energy] . . . for important uses such as electricity, cooking, and irrigation has increased countrywide.” He adds that 10,000 families are now using solar power.

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Photo credit: TRF/Gitonga Njeru