Lake Kivu, on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa, is one of the most dangerous lakes in the world. It is also considered among the most beautiful lakes in all of Africa, surrounded by green hills, fields and virgin forest. The danger presented by the 2,400 km² lake is concealed under the almost perpetually becalmed surface.
The lakebed produces methane gas and carbon dioxide in such enormous quantities that it is in all probability only a question of time before an eruption occurs and releases the choking gas. The result would be a human catastrophe. In a worst-case scenario, all inhabitants of this densely populated area could be at risk of losing their lives.
But for the time being, at least, the local population can breathe easily. A high-tech project currently under way will not only extract the gas, but also reduce the risk of eruption. The gas will be converted into energy in such quantities as to render this impoverished nation self-sufficient – and reduce energy costs by up to 80 per cent into the bargain.
Today Rwanda's power plants run on imported diesel, which is a pollutant. A reduction in the consumption of diesel and oil would benefit the environment and increase currency reserves. "Lake Kivu is a ticking bomb, but it is not too late to render it harmless. We expect another 100 years to elapse before any eruption occurs, which gives us time to plan what action to take," explains COWI project manager Mogens Winkler, who is acting as consultant for the World Bank, which is representing the project's seven international lenders.
Project manager Paul A. Nickson from International Finance Corporation under the World Bank is positively enthused about the project: "It is a first-rate project with far-reaching perspectives. We are negating the risk of a catastrophe in the area and helping Rwanda get back on its feet. Not to mention the environmental gain," says Paul A. Nickson. By Eva Isager, cht@cowi.com Published: 8.5.2006