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…
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…
On March 17, 2021 the Council of Ministers of the Burundi Government gave formal and final approval for Songa Energy’s two hydropower projects in Burundi. The minutes of the Council meeting state: “In Burundi, improving the supply and access to…
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…
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…
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…
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;…
Burundi is barely known around the world, and what people do know about Burundi is often negative. We have been working in Burundi for many years, and one of our passions is to share the reality about Burundi – an…
Songa Energy’s vision for Burundi is that it has a growing and vibrant economy, which is accessible by all Burundians – especially the rural entrepreneurs who work primarily in agriculture. Access to electricity is a critical prerequisite for this vision…
As interest in renewable energy gains momentum around the world, especially in the developing world, much of the attention is going to solar and wind power. But what about hydropower? Is it a dependable and important source of renewable energy…