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Nyabarongo I Hydroelectric Power Station

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Nyabarongo I Hydroelectric Power Station is one of the largest power plants in Rwanda and a key component of the national energy strategy. It is located on the Nyabarongo River in the Southern Province and was completed in 2014. With an installed capacity of 28 MW, the power station significantly increased the country's electricity generation capacity. It is a run-of-the-river type plant, which uses the natural flow of the river to drive turbines and generate electricity. The construction of the plant was a complex engineering project that involved building a dam and a tunnel. Nyabarongo I has helped to reduce the reliance on expensive diesel generators and improve the stability of the national power grid. It is an example of Rwanda's efforts to harness its abundant water resources for sustainable energy production and to increase electrification rates across the country.

Location: Rwanda
Nearby: Kabgayi (14 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	20	21	21	20	19	19	19	20	21	20	20	20
Rain mm	126	133	191	191	141	61	38	80	118	164	196	149

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

This significant hydroelectric plant plays a crucial role in meeting Rwanda's national energy demand by harnessing the immense power of the Nyabarongo River. It stands as a modern testament to the country's developing infrastructure and sustainable resource management.

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Visiting

As a critical piece of national infrastructure, the power station is generally closed to standard tourist visits and guided interior tours. However, travelers can typically observe the impressive exterior structures and the surrounding reservoir from nearby public roads.

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Where to view it

The most striking views of the dam and its created reservoir are usually found along the elevated rural roads winding through the adjacent hills. These vantage points offer a grand perspective of the industrial scale contrasting with the lush, rolling Rwandan landscape.

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Local products

While there are no direct factory outlets, the surrounding local villages often host small markets selling regional agricultural produce and handmade goods. Visitors passing through might also find modest food stalls offering traditional Rwandan snacks to motorists.

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Active season

The facility operates continuously year-round to provide stable power, but the surrounding river valley looks most dramatic during the wet seasons. During heavy rains, the water levels rise significantly, showcasing the true mechanical necessity and scale of the dam's overflow systems.

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Nearby

A journey to this industrial site is best combined with broader explorations of the Kigali province or nature tours heading towards the western national parks. The region's winding scenic routes make it a compelling brief stop on a longer cross-country road trip.