scaling up solar applications

1. Scaling Solar Applications’ in Rwanda

2. • Size: 26,338 sq.km
• Capital: Kigali
• Population: 12M
• GDP Growth: 8%
• GDP per capita: $723
• Gross National savings:
15.3% of GDP.
• Gross Investments as a
% of GDP: 26.0%
• Trade balance
(GDP):15.4%.
Rwanda: Vital Statistics

3. • Installed capacity of 208 MW
• 54.5% RE share (hydro and solar)
• 27.2% on-grid connections
• 7.3% off-grid access (solar)
• 52% on-grid connections,
• 48% off-grid connections (by solar)
• 100% Public institutions (schools,
health facilities, administrative
offices)
• Achieve the universal access by 2024.
Rwanda Energy Sector
Power
Generation
Electricity
Access
Access Target
for 2023/2024
• Rwanda’s domestic energy
resources:
Hydropower 313 MW
Methane 350 MW
Geothermal 490 MW
Peat 300 MW
• High solar irradiance, with
1890kWh/per sqm
Power Generation Potential

4. Policy and Regulatory Framework
 Rwanda overall strategy to diversify sources of energy by focussing on
domestic, RE resources, and phasing out diesel power generation
 Rural Electrification Strategy (RES) approved by Cabinet on 27th April 2016.
 Simplified Licensing regulations for off-grid and Rural Electrification
 Public Private Partnership Law gazetted on 29th May 2016
 Investment Code gazetted on 29th May 2015;
 Renewable Energy Law being finalized;

5. • Category 3 and 4 HH and Productive use areas.
• Continue to roll out the grid access program targeting mainly
productive use areas
Rural Electrification Strategy (RES)
• Targets 150,000 HH that met the set eligibility criteria
• Nearly 2000 systems have been installed through various donations
• Implementation through a tender process, subject to funds
availability
• The SREP fund will be used to implement this program
• HH will access a loan from the SACCOs/Bank and buy a solar system
• Companies at a later stage will be able to acquire a loan to invest in
their off-grid SHS business
Program 1
(provision of
Subsidy)
Program 2
(Provide Risk
mitigation facility)
Program 4
(Grid-extension)
• The SREP fund will be used to implement this program
• Companies will be able to acquire a loan to invest in their off-grid
mini-grids
Program 3
(Mini grids facility)

6. • Standalone solar home systems;
• Mini-grid solar projects with hybrid and
storage solutions;
• Opportunity to set up a Manufacturing
base facility of Solar Energy equipment
• Solar energy for irrigation and water
supply.
• Street lighting on all existing roads to be
electrified and;
• New roads construction contracts to
include street lighting;
• Development of different transmission
and substation projects to achieve the
52% grid access from 27.3%
Off-grid Solar Market Potential
Investment Opportunities
Solar
Energy
Power
transmission
& distribution
• 65% of Rwandans are in off-
grid areas (about 1.2 million
households)
• SREP funds to support the
development of off-grid energy
markets (cheap loan);
• The Result Based Finance
(RBF) for mini-grid developers,
offered by GIZ (a grant that
covers up to 70%)

7. Sustained economic growth
Investor Friendly Climate
Efficient Governance
AverageGDP
growth forthelast
nine years(08-16)
Mostefficient
globally
Ranked as the
easiest place to do
businessintheEAC
region
Africa’s most
efficient
government
Ranked as the
mostcompetitive
economy in Africa
8%
7TH
1ST
1ST
3RD
Access to Markets
Stable Credit Ratings
Reasons to Invest in Rwanda Renewable Energy
B+
B
Standrad & Poor‘s
Outlook: Stable
Fitch Ratings
Outlook: Stable
EAC
CEPEGL
COMESA
162 million
90 million
430 million
EU
AGOA (USA)

8. Fiscal Incentives
Zero Corporate Income Tax, for companies
planning to relocate their headquarters to Rwanda
Preferential corporate income tax rate of 15%,
for investment in priority sectors or exporting at least
50% of the produce , in energy, transport, affordable
housing, ICT and financial services
Accelerated depreciation rate of 50%, for the first
year in key priority sectors, e.g. tourism, construction,
manufacturing and agro-processing, education,
health, telecommunication, energy and transport
Exemption of capital gains tax, for any registered
investor
Seven-year corporate income tax holiday, for
export investments and projects over $50 million in
tourism, health, manufacturing , ICT and Energy once
generating 25MW and above
Non-fiscal Incentives
Investment Incentives
Rwanda has an array of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives
Custom tax & duty exemption, for products used
in Export Processing Zones (100% exports)
Free repatriation of capital and assets
Quick business and investment online
registration
Assistance with tax-related services and
exemptions
Assistance with access to utilities (water &
electricity)
Assistance with obtaining visas and work
permits, EIA
One stop center that provides notary services,
migration, etc.
Provision of aftercare services to fast-track
project implementation
Regardless of the origin of the investor, all
business sectors are open to private investment

9. 9
Challenges Opportunities
Solar products available now can only penetrate 10%
or so of the market, therefore affordability remains a
major challenge. Access to cheap capital, fast and
easily accessible working capital and consumer
financing solutions.
Solar companies need to build trust of customers
and balance between customer acquisition and
customer retention;
Time is the biggest enemy for renewable energy
projects to materialize. Projects currently take
between 1-7 years to develop depending on country,
business model and entrepreneur.
Some companies demonstrated success in reaching
higher levels of bottom-of-the-pyramid customers by
providing a variety of product options.
 Successful renewable projects usually combines a
tailor-made product with innovative financing
solutions and strategic partnership to deliver the
service/product.
 Networking and knowledge exchanges on the latest
innovations of solar systems;
 Platform for companies/institutions to enter in
collaboration/joint venture. For instance, Tiger power,
Belgium concluded a Joint venture with Hobuka Ltd. to
develop mini grids in Rwanda in the coming years.
 ISA and the Rwanda Energy Private Developers are
working on an MoU to boost cooperation and enable off
grid solar markets in Rwanda.

10. PROGRESS WITH ISA
I. EXPECTATIONS FROM ISA:
 Facilitate the Access to long term and low cost finance from Financial Agencies;
 Facilitate information-exchange on various productive solar applications and solutions;
 Support in the promotion of local entrepreneuship and local assembly & manufacturing
base of solar lighting Systems in Rwanda;
 Facilitate in mobilisation of solar compagnies from ISA network to participate in Rwanda
Rural Electrification program
II. NEXT STEP: Ratification of the Framework Agreement
III. CONTACT DETAILS
 Local Point in India: Mr. Mucyo RUTISHISHA, 2nd Counsellor, High Commission of Rwanda
(rwandahighcommission@gmail.com)
 Focal Agency in Rwanda: Mr. Robert Nyamvumba, Energy Division Manager, Ministry of
Infrastructure (robert.nyamvumba@mininfra.gov.rw)