Rusumo Project's Council of Ministers appraises construction progress
Rusumo Project’s Council of Ministers (CoM) visited the 80 MW Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project to take stock of the Power Plant construction progress today. CoM Members are Burundi Minister for Hydraulic, Energy and Mines, Hon. Ibrahim UWIZEYE, (CoM Member), Tanzania Minister of Energy, Hon. January Yusuf MAKAMBA (CoM Member) was represented by Tanzania Deputy Energy Minister, Hon. Adv. Stephen BYABATO and Rwanda Minister of Infrastructure, Hon Amb Claver Gatete (CoM Chairman). The Ministerial delegations first visited the progress of the power intake construction site, the powerhouse and proceeded to the switchyard.
The overall Project implementation status is at 81.9 % as of September 2021. The target 1st power (one unit) is planned for December 2021. The headrace tunnel is now totally opened, and concrete lining is ongoing at about 65%. Civil contractor is at 85.3 % to complete most of his work in February 2022 with site restoration and cleaning to follow into 2022. The dam is planned to be wet in mid-November 2021. The electromechanical contractor is at 75.5 % progress. The powerhouse downstream walls are completed and superstructure erection ongoing and is planned to be fully enclosed by end of year.