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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).
Figure 1.10: Installed renewable energy capacity for Lake Victoria Basin States
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
Copyright©2016GRID-Arendal ·Cartografare ilpresente/NievesLópez Izquierdo
Source: International Renewable Energy Agency database
(resourceirena.irena.org,accessJanuary 2016).
Installed renewable energy capacity
0
Megawatts
Geothermal
500
1000
1500
Bioenergy
Solar
Wind
Hydropower
UGANDA
TANZANIA
KENYA
BURUNDI
RWANDA
Maasai tribeswoman, Kenya