Rwanda Charts 900MW Solar Expansion Path Under ISA Agreement

Rwanda has signed a three-year strategic partnership with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to accelerate the deployment of more than 900 megawatts of solar energy projects as the country intensifies efforts to achieve universal electricity access by 2029.

The agreement, signed in Kigali on May 8, will support the expansion of utility-scale solar plants, rooftop systems, off-grid electricity solutions and solar-powered applications for agriculture and rural enterprises.

The partnership framework outlines cooperation in key areas including solar-powered irrigation, rooftop solar deployment, clean cooking technologies, technical skills development, financing access and renewable energy policy support.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, described solar energy as central to the country’s long-term economic and energy transition strategy.

“Solar energy is not a component of our strategy; it is a defining pillar of it,” Gasore said.

According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, the partnership will help fast-track existing renewable energy targets rather than introduce new generation goals.

The ministry disclosed that Rwanda currently has a planned solar development pipeline exceeding 900MW, covering utility-scale projects, decentralised rooftop systems, off-grid electrification and solar technologies for productive sectors such as agriculture.

About 40 per cent of the planned capacity is expected to come from decentralised systems, including rooftop solar and agricultural applications.

Officials said the collaboration with ISA is designed to mobilise investment, improve project preparation, strengthen technical capacity and attract private-sector participation across the solar value chain.

The agreement also includes plans to establish a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre at the University of Rwanda.

The centre will provide training for engineers, policymakers, technicians and entrepreneurs, while supporting research, innovation, standards development and business incubation in the renewable energy sector.

ISA Director-General, Ashish Khanna, held discussions with Rwandan officials on implementation plans and opportunities for deeper renewable energy cooperation between Rwanda and India.

The partnership further prioritises the deployment of solar-powered irrigation systems, cold storage facilities and agro-processing infrastructure aimed at improving agricultural productivity and reducing post-harvest losses.

Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Telesphore Ndabamenye, said the initiative would help address energy challenges facing farmers, particularly in irrigation and food preservation.

“The agreement will boost irrigation, especially hillside irrigation, where electricity costs remain a challenge for farmers pumping water from rivers and lakes,” he said.

The framework also covers the expansion of solar-powered electric vehicle charging infrastructure as Rwanda continues to pursue its e-mobility agenda.

Priority projects include public charging stations, charging corridors, smart charging systems and battery storage integration.

To coordinate implementation, Rwanda and ISA have agreed to establish a Technical Working Group and a ministerial Steering Committee that will oversee project execution, monitor progress and address operational bottlenecks.

The government said investment opportunities across utility-scale solar, mini-grids, rooftop systems and productive-use technologies would be opened through competitive bidding processes to encourage private-sector participation.

Officials added that the partnership would also support blended financing mechanisms and improve access to climate finance for bankable renewable energy projects.

A flagship livelihoods programme under the agreement is expected to support at least 500,000 Rwandans through solar-powered solutions for water pumping, agro-processing, cold storage, rural enterprises and community energy initiatives.