Construction works at the 80MW Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project are coming closer to completion with a progress of 91.6 % by April 2022. The Project is managed by NELSAP on behalf of Rusumo Power Company Limited (RPCL) for the governments of Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.
In December 2021, construction was at 86%. In a move that underscores importance of the Project to the region, the Rwandan Minister responsible for Infrastructure who is also the current chairperson of the Project’s Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr. Eng. Ernest Nsabimana visited the project on April 22nd, 2022 to take stock of the Project’s progress who expressed his appreciation of the progress of construction of the project.
In his progress update, Rusumo Project Manager, Eng. Alloyce Oduor stated that works at the dam include testing polarity and transformer ratio for the distribution transformer and lighting load balance, are being checked for the lighting system and installation of permanent handrail at the power intake stop-log gate slots is ongoing.
“The powerhouse, the concrete surround at the penstock unit no. 1 is completed, unit no 2, 17 out of 19 penstock cans have been installed and 7 out 20 circumferential weld joints are successfully welded and tested. Slope stabilization with rip rap at the right bank of the tailrace is ongoing. Levelling and graveling continues at Switchyard”, he added.
On the electro-mechanical works, Eng. Oduor explained that installation activities continues at the turbine and generator main equipment at Unit 1 & 2 including installation of the operating ring and the assembly of guide vane control mechanism for unit 1, installation of the assembly consisting of turbine shaft and inner head cover and runner assembly into the generator pit, the lower bracket into the generator pit for unit 1, finalizing the assembling of the stator of unit 2 and installation into the generator pit, continuation the installations of mechanical balance plant for Unit 1 & 2 as well as installation of powerhouse take of yard support structures and equipment.
At the end of the visit, the Project CoM’s chairperson commended the Project Management and staff for the good progress recorded so far. “There is a need for Project to accelerate all activities and complete on time”, he added. In his appreciative remarks, Hon. Dr. Eng. Nsabimana urged the Project team to exert more efforts to commission towards the end of 2022.
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