Ruvyironza Site Overview
Construction on our Upper Ruvyironza site is progressing well, and here is a drone overview of the site – from the powerhouse to the intake structure. Enjoy!
Dan Brose
Ruvyironza Construction
After about six months of construction on our Upper Ruvyironza hydropower plant, we are proud to report that excavation is complete for access roads, weir, waterway, and powerhouse. Now concreting has begun on the weir and waterway. At the same…
Ruvyironza Groundbreaking
On May 24, 2023 we celebrated the official launch of construction activities for our Upper Ruvyironza hydropower site. We were joined by leadership from the Ministry of Energy, US Embassy, Virunga Power, Gitega Governor, local community and many friends from…
Gridworks Investment
Gridworks Development Partners, a UK government-backed investor in Africa’s electricity networks, has committed to invest $50 million in Virunga Power for construction of Songa Energy’s hydropower projects in Burundi, among other projects in Malawi, Kenya and Zambia. Rural electrification is…
Land Acquisition Process
Over the past several months we have been conducting extensive community consultations with land owners who will be impacted by our 1.65 MW project in Ryansoro Commune, Gitega Province. Our team has been working closely with international and Burundian consultants…
Final Government Approval
The analysis of this dossier focused on the responses to these prerequisites. After analyzing the responses to the concerns that had been expressed, the Council of Ministers has found them satisfactory and has adopted the project, the promoter having agreed…
Final Technical Studies
Belgium-based consulting firm SHER Ingénieurs-Conseils in partnership with ARTELIA Eau & Environment was awarded the $990,000 contract to perform final technical studies and to provide advisory services to Songa Energy. In November we hosted field visits by SHER’s and ARTELIA’s…
Songa Energy in the News
As recently published in PV Magazine, the African Development Bank is helping Songa Energy to source consultants to perform final feasibility studies on its two run-of-river hydropower projects in Burundi: “The African Development Bank is helping small hydropower project developer Songa Energy Burundi find…
Partnership with Virunga Power
Songa Energy has partnered with Virunga Power as an investor and co-developer of our projects in Burundi. Virunga Power was formed in 2011 as a developer, investor and operator of renewable power projects and rural distribution grids. Its focus is…
Community Engagement
Engagement with the local community and administration is very important in our small hydropower projects. The goals of our community engagement activities are to ensure that: 1) our plans are consistent with and fit into their local communal development goals;…