Kabu 16 Hydroelectric Power Station

Kabu 16 Hydroelectric Power Station is a 20 MW hydroelectric power station under construction in Burundi. It is under development by the government of Burundi, with funding from the Exim Bank of India. Construction began in March 2019.

Location
The power station is located across Kaburantwa River, a tributary of the Rusizi River. The power station is approximately 16 km upstream of where the two rivers merge.

This location is in Cibitoke Province, in the northwest of the country, approximately 28 km, southeast of the town of Cibitoke, the provincial capital.

Overview
The engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract was awarded to Angelique International Limited of India. The development involves the construction of a concrete and rock-fill dam, with a hydraulic head (water drop) of 191 m. WAPCOS Ltd. (A Govt. of India Undertaking) is Project Management Consultant for Kabu-16 HEP and has been monitoring the project for good quality and timely completion. Two vertical Francis turbines, each rated at 10 megawatts will be supplied by Voith, the German industrial machinery manufacturer. Other infrastructure to be installed, includes the construction of staff housing for the construction workers, an electric switchyard, electricity transmission lines and access roads to the site.

Funding
The power station is funded by the Government of India, with money borrowed from the Export-Import Bank of India.

Operations and benefits
Upon completion, it is expected that the power station will be operated by Regideso, the Burundian state-owned electric utility monopoly company, responsible for generation, transmission and distribution.

The power station will supply 177.7GWh of green energy into the Burundi grid, increasing available power for national economic expansion and job creation.