KivuWatt

ContourGlobal operates 152 assets across different power generation technologies and has consistently been at the forefront of adopting and integrating innovative technologies in its business. A few examples include the triple hybrid generation and storage hub providing 24/4 power to the whole of the Dutch Antilles Island of Bonaire, the modernization of our existing Solar PV facilities in Italy that will increase their capacity by over 40% without occupying additional land, or the KivuWatt project in Rwanda. This unique project on Lake Kivu is the world’s first floating gas extraction platform on a lake, extracting methane from deep underwater and turning it into electricity. It’s a double win for the environment because it generates power without recurring to more polluting sources and it prevents heat-trapping gases from erupting into the atmosphere.

Commissioned in December 2015, the innovative project utilizes potentially deadly methane gas found in Lake Kivu’s deep waters to generate electricity. The Gas Extraction Facility (GEF), located 13.5 km from the shore and tethered to the bottom of the lake, extracts gas by bringing gas-laden waters from 35 bars to 2 bars of pressure via a gas separator where gas bubbles are extracted from the water. Raw gas is then washed in four wash towers, ultimately producing clean methane gas. This gas is transported to the power plant through a pipeline and at the power plant, combustion engines generate electricity to be supplied to the Rwanda energy grid.

At commissioning, KivuWatt was the only one of its kind in the world. Its successful example has since then triggered a few more developments on Lake Kivu, which has been known as the “killer lake” due to huge amounts of biogas trapped under a layer of heavy water containing minerals washed out of the nearby volcanos. When the gas concentration gets too high, or the lake is hit by one of the regular earthquakes in the region, the gas could get released, posing a threat to the people living in the vicinity.

By tapping these gas resources, ContourGlobal is making Lake Kivu a safer place, while at the same time utilizing the trapped methane gas for much needed power generation. KivuWatt’s gas extraction facility, moored 13.5 km from Lake Kivu’s Kibuye shore line, sits on a barge anchored.

In addition to gas extraction and power generation, ContourGlobal is also engaging with the local population, training and developing local workers and funding charitable projects such as supporting schools by establishing more classrooms, providing a library and computers in Kibuye schools.