Focus Media (Kigali)
Dominique Price
23 June 2008
The Lake Kivu methane plant should be up and running by the end of June. A team of local engineers and labourers is working alongside international contractors to put the finishing touches to Rwanda’s first underwater methane extraction plant.
After long delays and a series of tests, the US$ 15 million plant should be pumping out natural gas by the end of June, according to the site's supervisors.
"The project is coming together," says Augustin Rubayiza, Chief Engineer of Operations. "We're confident that in one month gas will be extracted." Installing on-site power generators and laying down a gas pipeline are the two remaining steps, supervisors say.
As of last week, six gas-powered turbine engines are in place, ready to produce over two megawatts of electricity per day, according to Charles McGuire, site supervisor for Aggreko, a UK-based equipment rental firm.
"Once we get this pipeline in place, it's full-steam ahead," he says.
A series of bright orange pipes will be welded together just under the water's surface, carrying methane gas from a floating platform two kilometres from shore.
The two Danish welding companies responsible for the pipeline will have ten days to complete it, but company owner Bo Kloecker says the project has had some roadblocks.
"There were supposed to be boats and anchors set up when we arrived," he says. Still, Mr Kloecker thinks the end is within reach. "We should finish this week," he says.
Overall construction of the plant has seen its share of challenges, workers say, including a string of contracts with foreign companies that didn't quite work out.
The most recent, an 18-month agreement with a Danish construction company, Dane Associates, ended badly when the firm failed to uphold its financial responsibilities, according to the government.
"Dane was taking advantage of its position as a majority shareholder," says Charles Nyirahuku of the Ministry of Infrastructure. According to him, an independent audit conducted in 2007 showed the firm was not properly managed, so its contract was not extended.
The company was not available for comment.
In order to avoid further setbacks, the government hired Ludan Technologies, a reputable Israeli technology firm.
Kibuye Power 1 has worked closely with Ludan employees to ensure the project runs smoothly, according to local engineer Hodari Muhire. "Things have gone well so far," he says.
Muhire says the methane plant is just a small version of what may actually be possible at Lake Kivu. "The next one may be ten times this size," he says, "and could spur investors to fund further projects."
Future endeavours to exploit the natural gas will have to follow certain rules, the government says. In order to deal with pollution and safety concerns, the Ministry of Infrastructure says it has hired an international expert committee to run the Lake Kivu Monitoring Program.
This, the government hopes will address the environmental and security issues that come with underwater methane extraction.
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