Construction of a specialized laboratory aimed at monitoring methane gas extraction and ensuring environmental protection in Lake Kivu is now 80% complete, with full completion expected next month.
The state-of-the-art facility, located in Rubavu District, is being built under the Lake Kivu Monitoring Program (LKMP) and costs approximately Rwf 2 billion. The laboratory will play a crucial role in safeguarding the lake’s ecosystem while supporting advanced research in water quality, methane gas management, and environmental sustainability.
Once completed, it will be equipped with cutting-edge instruments for environmental monitoring and scientific analysis, providing essential resources for experts in biology, chemistry, geology, and related fields—resources that are rarely available in the region.
According to Eric Mudakikwa Ruhanamirindi, Head of the Lake Kivu Monitoring Unit at the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), construction work will be finalized by November, paving the way for the official inauguration the following month.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Environment, Mudakikwa said,
“The main goal is to ensure that methane gas extraction is conducted in a way that does not harm the environment.”
Alex Mugabo, the coordinator of project implementation at REMA, confirmed that construction progress has reached 80%, noting:
“The project should have been completed earlier, but we still need an additional Rwf 500–600 million to finish the remaining works. Despite that, progress is going well.”
REMA further assured that all necessary funds have already been secured and that there are no outstanding financial concerns.
Data shows that Lake Kivu contains between 60 and 70 cubic kilometers of methane gas, with approximately 44.7 cubic kilometers deemed extractable. Beyond methane extraction, the lake supports various activities including transportation, fishing, tourism, and leisure.
Rwanda currently operates two methane extraction plants — KivuWatt and Shema Power Lake Kivu, while a third one, GasMeth, is expected to begin operations soon.
Over the next five years, Rwanda plans to invest over $1 billion in projects aimed at generating up to 1,000 megawatts of power to meet the country’s growing energy needs. Out of this, 136 megawatts are expected to come from methane gas extraction.
