wrr_case_study_ecosystem_restoration_rwanda_0-92e9dde6d71a178c.pdf

This case study examines how Rwanda addressed a severe electricity crisis in 2004 by restoring the Rugezi-Bulera-Ruhondo watershed to maintain the operational capacity of its primary hydropower stations.

• Rwanda experienced a significant electricity supply crisis in 2003-04, primarily caused by a steep decline in generation capacity at the Ntaruka hydropower station. This was driven by falling water levels in Lake Bulera, which served as the station's reservoir, resulting from poor management of the Rugezi Wetlands, watershed degradation, inadequate station maintenance, and reduced precipitation.
• The 2004 energy crisis had severe economic consequences, including widespread load shedding and a reliance on expensive diesel generators. Thermo-electricity rose from 0 percent in 2004 to 56 percent of power generation by 2006, costing the country up to USD 65,000 per day, while electricity rates increased from 7 to 22 US cents/kWh between 2004 and 2006.
• To restore hydropower potential, the Government of Rwanda implemented strict land-use restrictions in the Rugezi-Bulera-Ruhondo watershed. These measures included banning agricultural and pastoral activities within the Rugezi Wetlands and along the shores of Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo, as well as removing drainage channels and eucalyptus trees.
• The government supported the transition for affected rural populations through a suite of sustainable agricultural and watershed management measures. These included constructing erosion control structures, planting bamboo and Pennisetum grasses, reforestation of hillsides, distributing improved cookstoves, and promoting beekeeping.
• Restoration efforts led to the recovery of the Rugezi Wetlands and the return of the Ntaruka hydropower station to full operational capacity by October 2007. By 2009, power production reached 7 MW at Ntaruka and 11 MW at the Mukungwa station, which together reduced the reliance on diesel generators by half.
• The crisis prompted Rwanda to diversify its energy portfolio to reduce vulnerability to hydrological changes and climate change. The country began developing methane gas from Lake Kivu, geothermal energy, peat deposits, solar, and biogas, with a target of generating 1,000 MW of power for domestic use and export by 2017.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). wrr_case_study_ecosystem_restoration_rwanda_0-92e9dde6d71a178c.pdf. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/wrr_case_study_ecosystem_restoration_rwanda_0.pdf

Chicago

World Resources Institute. wrr_case_study_ecosystem_restoration_rwanda_0-92e9dde6d71a178c.pdf. n.d. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/wrr_case_study_ecosystem_restoration_rwanda_0.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=wrr_case_study_ecosystem_restoration_rwanda_0-92e9dde6d71a178c.pdf |url=https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/wrr_case_study_ecosystem_restoration_rwanda_0.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendwrrcasestudyecosystemrestorationrwanda092e9dde6d71a178cpdf, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{wrr\_case\_study\_ecosystem\_restoration\_rwanda\_0-92e9dde6d71a178c.pdf}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/wrr_case_study_ecosystem_restoration_rwanda_0.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }