Potential Impact of Rwanda Energy Plan on Carbon Emissions from Electricity Generation

Abstract

Energy is indispensable to economic & social development and it improves lives. However, much of world’s energy is being produced and consumed in ways that could not be sustained if technology were to remain constant and if general quantities were to rise significantly. This research weighs the potential results of Rwanda energy power plan 2023/2024 that encourage the use of more advanced and sustainable energy sources, Specific attention is paid to renewable energy. This research focused on examining the carbon emission emitted through electricity generation from different energy sources and investigate carbon emission avoidance when a national energy plan is implemented. The government of Rwanda, through its power sector, has very ambitious targets to achieve 512 MW installed power generation capacity, from its current 264 MW power generation, and have universal access (100%) by 2023/24. Business as usual (BAU) scenario is used to analyze future electricity generation and CO₂ emissions reduction in 2020-2024. The scenarios show the sustainable potential of renewable technologies and advanced technologies such as hydropower that can generate a significant portion of electricity and minimize the carbon emissions from the power sector. This research found that when Rwanda energy plan is implemented, there will be a carbon emission reduction of 18.3%. Hence, recommends policymakers and private sectors to invest in power energy production in Rwanda as there is a demand for electricity and business opportunities available in hydroelectricity production.

Keywords: Carbon emission, Renewable energy, Electricity generation, Rwanda

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-6-01

Publication date:March 31^st 2021