LAKE VICTORIA BASIN

Maasai tribeswoman, Kenya

A large proportion of the rural population depends on forest resources to meet their firewood needs. In Mwanza, a study in 2000, showed that the city consumed about 438,102 m³ of firewood and charcoal, resulting in the deforestation of 17,777 ha per year (Chamshama 2005). In Musoma, there is evidence that even protected forest reserves have been seriously degraded and the Kyanyari Forest Reserve is now devoid of trees (Chamshama 2005).

The greatest potential for hydroelectric power generation in the LVB is in Uganda. Uganda also has the largest developed hydropower energy sector in the Basin. The Owen Falls Dam at Jinja has installed capacity of 380 MW, although it currently only generates about 50 per cent of its potential; a further 250 MW is generated at Bujagali Falls. There are plans for the development of a 200 MW plant at Karuma. The 50 MW geothermal plants in Kampala and Jinja, as well as the 100 MW thermal plants further contribute to Uganda’s energy mix (Adeyemi and Asere 2014). Rwanda generates 30 MW from power stations at Rusizi in the west and Ntaruka and Ruhondo in the north. In addition, the country generates 30 MW from thermal sources. Levels of connection to the electricity grid are low, with estimates indicating that there are only 67,000 energy subscribers in the country. Peat mined from wetlands is used as an alternative to fuelwood in industrial activities. Other sources of energy such as biogas, solar, thermal and methane gas, are also being explored (Lake Victoria Basin Commission 2007a). There are growing efforts in the Basin countries to shift towards renewable forms of energy, with Kenya making some significant advances (as shown in Figure 1.10). Trade and Industry Trade and industry are some of the fastest growing sectors in the LVB, with a high potential for improving incomes and employment. These sectors have been heavily promoted by the current regional integration process facilitated by the EAC Customs Union, which

Installed renewable energy capacity

Geothermal

Bioenergy

Solar

Wind

Hydropower

0 Megawatts

500

1000

1500

BURUNDI

KENYA

RWANDA

TANZANIA

UGANDA

Source: International Renewable Energy Agency database (resourceirena.irena.org,accessJanuary 2016).

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Figure 1.10: Installed renewable energy capacity for Lake Victoria Basin States

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