Rwanda is soliciting private partners to construct a 200-megawatt solar installation on Lake Sake in Ngoma District. According to KT Press, the Energy Development Corporation Limited, a unit of the state-owned Rwanda Energy Group, has opened the prequalification phase for independent power producers. The facility will integrate floating photovoltaic arrays with a storage system rated at 800 megawatt-hours. This configuration allows excess daytime generation to be retained for use during evening peak demand, reducing waste and enhancing supply reliability.
The application window closes on November 12, 2026, following a site visit scheduled for October 23. The winning developer will handle design, financing, construction, and operations for a 25-year period under a power purchase agreement with the state entity. The infrastructure scope includes substations and transmission links to the national grid via a 220-kilovolt line. KT Press noted that the facility is slated for commissioning within 18 months of commencement.
Applicants must show a decade of renewable energy experience and average annual revenue of $300 million between 2023 and 2025. They must also demonstrate access to at least $60 million in credit facilities. Consortia are limited to two firms. Théoneste Higaniro, an EDCL manager, explained to The New Times that the location was chosen due to the region's consistent solar irradiance. He added that authorities are evaluating similar floating arrays for the Nyabarongo II hydropower scheme, which could add another 200 megawatts.
This initiative supports a broader national strategy to double generation capacity by 2034. The Rwanda Energy Group has allocated $3.2 billion to expand installed capacity from roughly 467 megawatts to 1,066 megawatts. Current installed capacity stands at about 473 megawatts, up from 100.4 megawatts in 2010. Solar contributes approximately 4.2% of current output, with a target of 60% renewable share by 2030.