Completed Development AidData Chinese Aid

Chinese Government provides $80 million grant for 15MW Ruzibazi Hydroelectric Power Plant Project

$80M USD

Funder	China Ministry of Commerce
Recipient Organization	Government of Burundi
Country	Burundi
Start Date	Aug 25, 2016
End Date	Mar 04, 2031
Duration	5,304 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`57106`

Grant Description

On August 25, 2016, the Chinese Government and the Government of Burundi signed an agreement on the 15MW Ruzibazi Hydroelectric Power Plant Project. The Chinese Government has reportedly committed $80 million of grant funding for this project.

This project involves the installation of a dam, a water diversion system, powerhouses, a tailwater building, a booster station and transmission lines. It is located 43 km south of Bujumbura in the Bugarama commune within the Rumonge province along the Ruzibazi River. Central South Architectural Design Institute Co., Ltd (CSADI) is the contractor responsible for project design.

Sinohydro Bureau 14 Co.

Ltd., a subsidiary of Power Construction Corporation of China, is the contractor responsible for project implementation. A project design plan was finalized in January 2017. Construction began on October 15, 2018, and an official groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 20, 2019. Dam closure — a key project implementation milestone — occurred on May 8, 2020.

Then, in May 2022, the power plant’s first electricity generation unit was successfully connected to the national electricity grid. All three (5MW) power generation units were connected to the grid in June 2022, marking the completion of the project.

The 15MW Ruzibazi Hydroelectric Power Plant Project faced a variety of implementation obstacles and delays, including the Covid-19 pandemic, logistical problems, and unfavorable local construction conditions.

📋 Staff Comments

The Chinese project title is 布隆迪胡济巴济水电站项目.
The French project title is la construction du barrage hydroélectrique de Ruzibazi.
One source identifies the capacity of the plant as 17.4 MW, but most official sources say that the capacity of the plant is 15 MW.

📚 Sources & References

LE SECTEUR DE L’ENERGIE ELECTRIQUE AU BURUNDI
Analyse_critique_de_la_loi_de_finances_exercice
Renewable Energy Market Landscape Study
MULTINATIONAL RUZIZI III REGIONAL HYDROPOWER PLANT APPRAISAL REPORT
布隆迪胡济巴济水电站项目（EPC）
Investment opportunities in renewable energy Burundi
中国援建的布隆迪总统府正式向布方移交
做有责任感的中国企业——布隆迪胡济巴济水电站项目党建工作纪实
Infrastructure Financing Trends in Africa – 2016
China-aided hydropower station project in Burundi to expand cooperation
布隆迪总统说中国援建水电站项目将提升两国关系水平
President of Burundi: China’s Hydropower Aid Project to Raise the Level of Bilateral Relations
Chinese-funded hydropower project expected to light up Burundi
Burundi celebrates the 55th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Burundian relations.
布隆迪鲁蒙盖省省长来信：对中方团队与当地关系“非常满意，无以言尽”
President of Burundi: China’s Hydropower Aid Project to Raise the Level of Bilateral Relations
China-aided hydropower station project in Burundi to expand cooperation
Aid to Burundi Huzi Bazi Hydropower Project
RUZIBAZI Hydropower Project in Burundi Finished Dam Closure Successfully, @RTNBurundi
The President of Burundi Attends the Groundbreaking Ceremony of Aid to Burundi's Huzi Bazi Hydropower Project
Descent, this Monday
November 11, 2019
BURUNDI/ HYDRAULIQUE
ENERGIE ET MINES @minergiemine1
The President of Burundi Attends the Groundbreaking Ceremony of Aid to Burundi's Huzi Bazi Hydropower Project
Burundi President Nkurunziza attended the groundbreaking ceremony of China-aided Buhuzi Bazi Hydropower Station
Aid to Bulong Huzibazi Hydropower Station Project Department won the title of China Outstanding Overseas Project Camp
Trois accords intergouvernementaux signés à l'occasion de la visitedu vice-ministre chinois du Commerce au Burundi
Aid to Burundi's Huzi Bazi Hydropower Project Department won the title of 'Excellent Camp for Chinese Overseas Engineering'
Aid to Bulong Huzibazi Hydropower Station Project Department won the title of China Outstanding Overseas Project Camp
The Ministry of Water Resources
Energy and Mining of Burundi sent a letter of commendation to the Huzi Bazi Project Department of the 14th Hydropower Bureau
China's aid to Burundi's largest project, the Huji Bazi Hydropower Station, achieves the second phase closure 20 days ahead of schedule
POWERCHINA uses practical actions to help China and Africa unite against the epidemic, my country-aided construction of Burundi's largest project
Huzi Bazi Hydropower Station, successfully closed
布隆迪胡济巴济水电项目开展“六一”儿童节捐赠活动
鲁军参赞与布隆迪能矿部长共同签署援布隆迪胡济巴济水电站项目时间表协议
Burundi president praises China-constructed dam Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.