PAOP Rwanda Market Assessment

The project is implemented by RTI International in collaboration with Fraym, Norton Rose Fulbright, Practical Action Consulting, and Tetra Tech. Power Africa is a public-private partnership comprising 12 U.S. Government agencies, over 145 private companies, and 18 bilateral and multilateral development partners. The program aims to achieve 30,000 megawatts of new generated power, create 60 million new connections, and reach 300 million Africans by 2030. Rwanda is one of the countries targeted by the Power Africa Off-grid Project. The country has a population of approximately 12.9 million people, with a population density of 450 people per square kilometer. Rwanda's energy sector is dominated by hydroelectric power, with a total installed capacity of 250 megawatts. The country's energy access targets are outlined in the National Electrification Plan (NEP), which aims to achieve universal access to electricity by 2024. The plan identifies off-grid electrification as a key strategy to achieve this goal. Rwanda has a well-defined regulatory framework for the energy sector, with laws and policies governing the sector, including the Electricity Law (Law N°21/2011 of 23/06/2011 Governing Electricity in Rwanda; modified in 2018). The Power Africa Off-grid Project in Rwanda focuses on off-grid energy, mini-grid, and agricultural and productive-use solar companies. The project aims to increase access to energy for rural households and small businesses. The off-grid energy market in Rwanda is characterized by a high demand for solar home systems (SHS), with sales volumes increasing from 2014 to 2018. The market is dominated by a few large players, including manufacturers and distributors. The mini-grid market in Rwanda is also growing, with several companies operating in the sector. The mini-grid regulations in Rwanda are outlined in the Electricity Law, which requires mini-grid operators to obtain a license from the Rwanda Energy Regulatory Authority (ERERA). The regulations also specify the terms and conditions for mini-grid operations, including tariff regulation and grid connection requirements. The Power Africa Off-grid Project in Rwanda has identified several key challenges in the off-grid energy market, including affordability, policy and regulatory issues, and energy-related training institutions. The project aims to address these challenges through a range of interventions, including training and capacity building, policy and regulatory support, and financing and investment. The project has also identified opportunities for agricultural and productive-use solar companies in Rwanda, including off-grid cold storage, solar irrigation, and drinking water and off-grid energy. The project aims to support the development of these opportunities through a range of interventions, including financing and investment, training and capacity building, and policy and regulatory support. Overall, the Power Africa Off-grid Project in Rwanda aims to increase access to energy for rural households and small businesses, while also promoting economic growth and development in the country. The project has identified several key challenges and opportunities in the off-grid energy market, and aims to address these through a range of interventions.