Eastern power plant in state of disrepair

The Ruzizi-1 HEP plant, which supplies eastern DRC and parts of Rwanda and Burundi, is in a state of disrepair. Three of the four generators at the plant, which is situated in Bukavu, had completely broken down, and the fourth was unreliable due to dilapidation and overloading, Leon Munyarugerero, the coordinator of the National Electricity Company (SNEL) in the rebel-held territory, told IRIN. “About US $6 million is needed to effect the rehabilitation of the plant. In view of its regional function, we are counting on donor financial institutions to give us a loan,” he said. A local official in Bukavu told IRIN that a German firm had signed a feasibility study contract with SNEL last month.