Chinese Government provides RMB 30 million grant for the Fourth Phase of the 8MW Mugere Hydroelectric Power Plant Rehabilitation Project

Project narrative

In September 2007, the Chinese Government agreed to provide an RMB 30 million grant to the Government of Burundi for the Fourth Phase of the 8MW Mugere Hydroelectric Power Plant Rehabilitation Project. The 8MW Mugere Hydroelectric Power Plant is located in Kabezi commune within rural Bujumbura province along the Mugere River. Its construction was originally financed by the Chinese Government during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chinese Government subsequently funded the First Phase of the 8MW Mugere Hydroelectric Power Plant Rehabilitation Project in 1987, the Second Phase of the 8MW Mugere Hydroelectric Power Plant Rehabilitation Project in 1993, and the Third Phase of the 8MW Mugere Hydroelectric Power Plant Rehabilitation Project in 2000. Hebei Hydraulic Engineering Bureau (河北省水利工程局), China First Highway Engineering Company (CFHEC), and China Road and Bridge Corporation were the contractors responsible for implementation of the fourth phase of the power plant rehabilitation project. Construction began in April 2009 and the project was officially completed and handed over to the authorities on November 15, 2010. At the time, the Mugere Hydroelectric Power Plant provided nearly 30% of the electricity consumption of Bujumbura, the Burundian capital, and 40% of the hydroelectricity produced by Regideso (Burundi's state-owned company responsible for the the production and distribution of water).