Rwanda’s energy sector has undergone one of the fastest transformations in Africa. In 2009, only 6% of households had access to on-grid electricity. By May 2025, access had risen to 58.3% connected to the national grid while 24.9% relied on off-grid solar systems. The government now aims for universal access by 2029, a target set in the Energy Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP II) 2024–2029, which foresees connecting more than 1.1 million additional households. Access is viewed both as a social good and a foundation for productive use of energy, powering small enterprises, agro-processing and local industry.
Rwanda’s electricity system is built on a defined mix of generation sources. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA, 2023), hydropower accounts for 49.8% of electricity generation, forming the backbone of national supply. Natural gas, largely from methane extracted on Lake Kivu, contributes 25.2%, supported by plants such as KivuWatt (26 megawatts), Kibuye Power I (3 megawatts) and the Shema Power Lake Kivu facility, which supplies around 50 megawatts to the grid. Coal- and oil-fired plants represent 14.3% and 7.3% respectively, while solar PV provides 3.3%. Additional projects, including Rwanda’s 27-megawatt share of the regional Rusumo hydropower plant and the 43.5-megawatt Nyabarongo II project now under construction are expected to reinforce this mix as demand continues to grow.
However, expanding access brings new pressures. Hydropower is sensitive to seasonal rainfall patterns, and solar output fluctuates throughout the day, requiring balancing capacity to keep the system stable. Methane generation provides reliable supply, but growing consumption from households, industry and electrified cooking will demand additional, predictable generation that can operate year-round. Rwanda already invests heavily in grid strengthening, from new substations in Bwishyura and Rubavu to expanded transmission lines serving major industrial and agricultural zones. Yet as the load increases, the need for firm capacity becomes more pronounced.
National policy places strong emphasis on productive use of energy (PUE). Initiatives such as PURE.Ag help smallholder farmers adopt solar-powered irrigation systems, while clean-cooking programmes aim to reduce reliance on traditional fuels. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA, 2023), 87.1 per cent of Rwanda’s total energy supply comes from biofuels and waste, underscoring the importance of expanding access to modern cooking solutions. A national ban on sub-Tier 3 cookstoves took effect in January 2024, accelerating the transition to improved stoves and electric cooking. Projects such as SCALE.up combine grid densification with incentives for households to adopt electric appliances, while targeted subsidy schemes support vulnerable households in refugee settlements. Together, these initiatives show how electricity and modern energy services are increasingly used to support local economic development rather than household consumption alone.
As Rwanda looks beyond 2029, attention is turning to technologies that can reinforce the resilience of its expanding energy system. Among these are small modular reactors (SMRs) – compact nuclear units typically producing up to 300 megawatts. SMRs operate continuously, require limited land area and are designed for factory fabrication, which can reduce construction timelines. Their ability to provide stable power makes them a potential complement to hydropower and solar generation, especially as Rwanda expands industrial capacity, ICT infrastructure and agricultural processing.
Interest in advanced nuclear solutions is not unique to Rwanda. A diverse group of companies is developing SMR technologies, including EDF of France, KHNP of South Korea and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) in Canada, which got go-ahead from the regional government to build an SMR project. Russia’s Rosatom is part of this international field and has developed small-capacity reactors of up to 55 megawatts designed for regions with varying climatic and infrastructural conditions, including African environments. These designs incorporate modular configuration and factory manufacturing of key components, features intended to support streamlined deployment. These developments across this global market illustrate the range of next-generation options emerging worldwide.
Rwanda has already taken initial steps to explore peaceful nuclear technologies. In 2022, a contract was signed with Rosatom for a pre-feasibility study on small modular reactors, marking Rwanda’s first formal assessment of nuclear energy as part of its long-term planning. In parallel, Rwanda continues to participate in IAEA technical cooperation programmes covering food and agriculture, industry, nuclear safety and knowledge development.
For Rwanda, building a balanced energy future will require continued investment across multiple fronts: completing universal access, strengthening the grid, expanding renewables, scaling methane-gas generation and evaluating new technologies that can provide continuous, low-carbon supply. SMRs are not a replacement for existing resources but could form part of a diversified portfolio capable of supporting economic growth, powering productive use and ensuring stable electricity even in periods of variable renewable generation. As the country moves towards its 2029 target and plans beyond it, the priority remains clear: an energy system capable of delivering reliable, affordable and clean power for a rapidly developing nation.
KIGALI TIMES