What is the most common off-grid electricity source in Burundi?

Solar energy is the most common off-grid electricity source in Burundi, although the number of systems installed is very slow. With the global price droping of solar technologies a small solar sector emerged in the recent years, that offer smaller systems for private households, businesses and public institutions.

How does Burundi benefit from electricity imports?

Burundi also benefits from imports from the regional hydro plants of Rusizi I and II, which are operated by Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL), and SINELAC, respectively. Currently, these imports account for 40% of the electricity consumption.

What is the power sector like in Burundi?

A key feature of the power sector in Burundi is the very low level of electrification. Less than 5% of the population have access to the national grid (average in Sub-Sahara Africa 26%), and even they are facing power cuts on a daily basis during dry season.

How has private energy consumption changed in Burundi?

It is only in the last five years that private consumption has grown in real terms. Burundi`s energy consumption relies to a great extent on biomass. Households are the main consumers of energy in the country, accounting for 94% of total consumption. Their needs are almost exclusively met by traditional biomass (99%).

How is energy transported in Burundi?

This energy is transported through elevated lines of average volltage and distributed to the customers by lines of low voltage. The levels of transport voltage in Burundi are 110 kV, 30 kV and 10 kV. Electrical energy production was 133 GWh in 1992 and 150 GWh in 1993.

Does Burundi have a power supply deficit?

Burundi faces severe constraints in electricity supply. The supply deficit currently varies between 12.9 MW during the wet season and 23.5 MW during the dry season when the country’s main hydropower plants are running at reduced capacity. The deficit in the power supply leads to frequent outages.