Rwanda Fast-Tracks Renewable Energy Transition Amid Rising Demand

Rwanda is racing to expand its renewable energy capacity as rapid economic growth outpaces earlier projections, government officials and partners said on Tuesday during the official opening of the 5th Edition of the Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth Conference and Exhibition (Energy Week 2025).

The event, taking place in Kigali from September 8 to 12 under the theme “Empowering Africa’s Energy Future: Innovation, Transition, and Sustainability,” is bringing together policymakers, private sector players, investors, researchers, and development partners.

Organized by the Energy Private Developers (EPD), in partnership with the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), and key development partners, the conference highlights Rwanda’s growing urgency to scale up electricity generation while keeping its commitment to sustainability and affordability.

Demand Surges Beyond Projections

Hon. Jean de Dieu UWIHANGANYE, Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, said Rwanda’s growth has been so rapid that energy supply is struggling to keep up.

“I think we’ve powered the country, and then it has grown faster than we expected. But that’s good. We now need to fasten the way we generate energy,” UWIHANGANYE told delegates.

He noted that Rwanda’s installed generation capacity has increased from 110 megawatts in 2014 to about 465 megawatts today, with renewable sources accounting for 56 percent of the mix, mainly from hydro and solar. But as industries expand and urbanization accelerates, the country needs much more energy.

By 2030, Rwanda aims to reach 615 megawatts of installed capacity, with renewables expected to surpass 60 percent of the national energy mix. The government is currently preparing a large-scale solar power plant to help meet that target.

Private Sector Called to Action

UWIHANGANYE urged private sector players to step in with proposals for new generation projects.

“We need much more energy. Hopefully, the private sectors are here. We continue to engage more. I do welcome you giving us your proposals on how you can help us in generating more,” he said, pointing to opportunities in power purchase agreements and off-grid solutions.

The Minister emphasized that affordability is just as important as supply, noting that electricity prices must be lowered to spur industrialization and economic competitiveness.

Partners Pledge Support

Rwanda’s energy transition has been fueled by partnerships with international institutions, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, KfW, and the European Union. UWIHANGANYE credited their technical and financial contributions for driving expansion in electricity access and renewable deployment.

EU Ambassador to Rwanda, Belén Calvo Uyarra, said Rwanda has become “a beacon of vision and ambition” in Africa’s clean energy transition. She pointed to flagship projects such as the Ruzizi III Regional Hydropower Plant, which will supply 206 megawatts across Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“It is much more than infrastructure investment. It is a symbol of regional integration, peace-building, and shared prosperity,” she said, adding that preparations for Ruzizi IV are already underway.

Through Team Europe’s Global Gateway initiative, more than €267 million in grants and loans have been mobilized for renewable energy projects in Rwanda and the region.

Innovation and Inclusion at the Core

Beyond megawatt figures, speakers stressed that renewable energy is central to innovation, social development, and inclusivity.

Michelle UMURUNGI, Chief Investment Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), said Rwanda’s rapid progress from just 18 percent electricity access in 2014 to over 80 percent today shows what strong political will and reforms can achieve.

She highlighted investment incentives such as tax exemptions, simplified registration processes, and accelerated depreciation allowances that make Rwanda attractive to developers.

RDB also sees energy as a pillar of Rwanda’s Vision 2050, positioning the country as a regional hub for clean manufacturing, green hydrogen, and innovation in smart grids and electric mobility.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ivan TWAGIRASHEMA, Executive Chairman of the Energy Private Developers (EPD), underscored the need for investment in capacity building, gender inclusion, and digitalization of energy systems.

“The path toward a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative energy future for Africa will only be achieved through strong collaboration, strategic investment, and a unified commitment to a shared vision,” he said.

Private Innovators Step In

Michael Irenge, the Energy Pre-sales Engineer at NETIS group, said his company has been powering Rwanda’s telecom infrastructure with solar energy since 2018 and is now expanding into industrial solutions.

He pointed to financing and lack of awareness as key challenges in scaling solar adoption, while calling for policies such as net metering that would allow excess solar power to be sold back to the grid.

“Energy is the key to innovation. Without affordable and reliable energy, industries cannot thrive. We need more awareness and financing mechanisms to unlock solar’s potential,” he said.

Toward a Renewable Future

While Rwanda has made impressive gains, barriers such as high financing costs, affordability gaps, and limited access to advanced technologies remain.

Officials and partners at Energy Week 2025 agreed that meeting rising demand while staying on course for a renewable-powered future will require faster investment, stronger partnerships, and bold innovation.