Lake Kivu methane gas: A business Opportunity

Investing in the exploitation of Lake Kivu methane gas reserves is a promising business opportunity. Out of 55 billion cum (STP) of methane gas reserves, 39 billion cum (STP) equal to 31 million Ton Oil Equivalent (TOE) are estimated to be economically exploitable. This resource is at least partially renewal as the volume of methane generated annually by the lake is estimated to be in the range of 100 to 150 million cum (STP). The technical feasibility of the exploitation of lake Kivu methane gas has been demonstrated by the pilot plant of Cape Rubona near the town of Gisenyi which has been operational since 1963 with a capacity of 5,000 cum of methane at 80 % solely used in a nearby brewery's boiler.

Currently, the sub region in general and Rwanda in particular are facing a huge energy deficit, the employment of Lake Kivu methane gas as a substitute to wood and imported fuel provides a realistic opportunity to cover most if not all energy market needs and stem the tide deforestation in the country. Numerous studies conducted recently by renowned experts came to confirm not only the technical feasibility and the economic viability but also the profitability of the project. Those studies have concluded that the lake Kivu methane gas can be used in interesting conditions such as in the generation of electricity, in industries as combustible, in the residential and transport sectors as well as raw material in the production of urea, methanol, etc.

The Government of Rwanda has adopted a long-term development plan known as "Vision 2020" that identifies key economic objectives to be attained in 2020 in order to transform Rwanda into a middle-income country. In order to attain this goal, the Government encourage the involvement of the private sector, both on domestic and international levels, in the country's economic development particularly in the large-scale extraction of lake Kivu methane gas.