Rwanda Energy Group Limited (REG LTD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel Electric Corporation Limited (IEC) aimed at Technical Assistance and Knowledge Transfer in the energy sector to REG Staff. The agreement was signed on 29th October, 2015 between REG Chief Executive Officer, Jean Bosco Mugiraneza and IEC Senior Vice-President for Engineering Projects & Business Development, Ron Weiss.
The Chief Executive Officer of REG LTD, Jean Bosco Mugiraneza told the journalists and participants that the MoU provides a framework to establish cooperation for technical support in areas of energy project development and energy transmission and distribution in order to address the issues of power shortage in Rwanda. “The deal provides provision of human capacity development in the field of design, engineering, and energy projects development in the areas of methane to power, geothermal, procurement, construction, operation, maintenance, supervision, financial reporting, database management, and execution of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects in the energy sector of the Republic of Rwanda,” Mugiraneza said.
With an installed current energy generation capacity of 160 megawatts and only 24 per cent of households in the country connected to electricity, Rwanda targets to reach 563 megawatts energy generation capacity by 2018 and connect 70 per cent of the country’s households to electricity.
“The MoU between REG and IEC is very important given the targets that we have as a country. Reaching 563 megawatts is not something we can achieve alone,” Mugiraneza added shortly after the signing.
Israel Electric Corporation is the main Provider of electricity in Israel and manages power stations that produce up to 13,248 megawatts of electricity. The corporation builds, maintains, and operates power generation stations, substations, as well as transmission and distribution networks in Israel. Speaking to journalists after signing ceremony, Weiss said that IEC will spare any efforts in helping Rwanda produce the energy it needs given the good relations between Israel and Rwanda. “
By signing this MoU we can do many good things together and sharing knowledge is good for both countries. Rwanda is a good friend of Israel and we want to keep this for many years,” Weiss said. Both companies agreed to set up a technical team responsible for promoting the bilateral development of key areas in corporate planning, monitoring and evaluation, as well as energy development.