Why the National Domestic Biogas Programme (NDBP) in Rwanda Failed and Lessons Learned
Rwanda heavily relies on traditional biomass for cooking energy, with biomass accounting for about 85
percent of the country’s final energy consumption, leading to deforestation concerns (Rwanda Ministry
of Infrastructure, 2019). In response, the government sought to promote biogas technology as a
sustainable alternative.
Biogas technology was highlighted in Rwanda’s poverty reduction strategy paper in 2002 as a means to
alleviate poverty (World Bank, 2002).
Following this, the Minister of State for Energy and Communications at the Energy for Development Conference in the Netherlands in 2004 requested support for developing a domestic biogas sector (Dekelver, Ndahimana, & Ruzigana, 2006). Subsequently, the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) conducted a feasibility study in 2005, affirming Rwanda’s potential for biogas production.
Following this, the Minister of State for Energy and Communications at the Energy for Development Conference in the Netherlands in 2004 requested support for developing a domestic biogas sector (Dekelver, Ndahimana, & Ruzigana, 2006). Subsequently, the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) conducted a feasibility study in 2005, affirming Rwanda’s potential for biogas production.
The Rwandan government launched the NDBP in 2008 with an initial goal to install 15,000 family-sized biogas plants by 2011, later revised to 3,000 by 2010. However, by 2012, only about 1,800 digesters were installed across 30 districts.
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Reasons for the Failure of the NDBP:
The NDBP overestimated the amount of dung produced per cow, leading to oversized biogas plants that
were underfed. Initial estimates assumed 20 kg of dung per animal per day, whereas actual production
was closer to 10 kg per animal per day. This mismatch led to minimal gas production, disappointing
farmers who then abandoned the biogas plants.
Solution: Conduct proper assessments to determine: o Number of cows per household
o Daily manure availability
o Daily water requirements
o Correctly size biogas plants accordingly.
Solution: Conduct proper assessments to determine: o Number of cows per household
o Daily manure availability
o Daily water requirements
o Correctly size biogas plants accordingly.
The NDBP predominantly chose Fixed Dome Biogas Plants, which require skilled artisans for precise
construction to avoid gas leakage. However, the program lacked sufficient trained personnel, resulting in
slow implementation and poorly constructed plants. Reports indicated that 10% of the installed plants
produced no gas due to incomplete work or damaged components.
Solution: Promote Tubular Biogas Plants:
o Ideal for smallholder farms (2 to 10 cows)
o Simple, effective, and durable
o Inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to install and operate.
Solution: Promote Tubular Biogas Plants:
o Ideal for smallholder farms (2 to 10 cows)
o Simple, effective, and durable
o Inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to install and operate.
Water availability for feeding biogas plants was often overlooked during planning and implementation.
Each biogas plant requires an equal amount of water to dung, posing challenges in areas where water
sources are distant.
Solution: Build biodigesters near water sources within a 20-minute walk.
Solution: Build biodigesters near water sources within a 20-minute walk.
The construction and installation of biogas plants require qualified technicians, a resource initially
lacking in the NDBP rollout. This led to system failures, incomplete installations, and subsequent farmer
discouragement.
Solution: Ensure a skilled workforce through:
o Procurement of qualified teams
Solution: Ensure a skilled workforce through:
o Procurement of qualified teams
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