In a US$200 million project, Rwanda plans to use methane gas from Lake Kivu to generate electricity.

The highly explosive gas has been seeping into the lake’s waters as a result of volcanic activity from the nearby Mount Karisimbi.

The initiative – run by US-based energy firm Contour Global – will be spread over 25 years in two phases, and will help address the nation’s electricity woes – according to a SciDev.Net report, nearly 80% of the 12 million-strong Rwandan population lack access to power.

The report adds that the methane could potentially create 700 MW of electricity over the next 60 years.

17 November 2015
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