Lake Kivu holds a powerful secret: vast reserves of naturally-produced biomethane. For centuries, this gas has accumulated at the lake’s bottom, fed by the settling of organic material to the bottom of the lake and transformed there by volcanic springs, posing a potential environmental and human risk on the flow from the surface and into the atmosphere.
But at ContourGlobal, we took on the engineering challenge of transforming this into a vital energy source and a positive contribution for both the local communities, the environment and the country. Since 2016, our Kivuwatt facility has been safely and sustainably extracting this biomethane gas, converting it into electricity in our 26 MW plant. This significant contribution represents approximately 30% of Rwanda’s current energy capacity and an accumulated generation of almost 2 TWh since COD. To put it in context, KivuWatt’s electricity production has avoided the emission of 1.1 million tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere, making a real positive environmental contribution while, at the same time, reducing the risk of uncontrolled methane release to the environment.
It all starts in our innovative Gas Extraction Facility (GEF) which pulls water from 300 meters below the surface and, through a meticulous process of depressurization and washing, separates the naturally-occurring methane gas from the water, under strict environmental regulatory approvals and monitoring. This gas is then transported via a 12-kilometer pipeline to our power plant, where vital electricity is generated for Rwanda’s national grid.
This project is unique not only for the remarkable engineering involved, but also for its care on the local lake ecosystem and biodiversity. Lake Kivu indeed provides a source of life and economic opportunities for the local communities, as well as for the aquatic and terrestrial species that call it home.
Building on our commitments as a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact, and our recent participation in the Proteus global biodiversity partnership, we take our responsibilities as a custodian of Lake Kivu power generation seriously, engaging with both local residents and international scientists and experts, to monitor and protect all aspects of this important resource.
Beyond sustainable and responsible power generation and environmental protection, Kivuwatt is deeply committed to the local community with Education projects but also focusing on public safety, environmental protection, and maximizing social benefits. The plant employs over 120 people, with more than 70% local staff benefiting from ongoing capacity building and knowledge transfer programs.
Kivuwatt’s ingenuity has even captured the attention of global media, being featured in publications like The Guardian and National Geographic! It stands as a prime example of how sustainable energy generation can drive sustainable and responsible development for both current and future generations.
On this World Environment Day, we reaffirm our dedication to pioneering projects that protect our planet and empower communities. The Kivuwatt project is an example of our commitment to do clean energy right, making it the natural choice for all and producing lasting positive impact for generations to come.
