Largest China-Aided Overseas Hydropower Station Under Construction Put into Operation

The first generator unit of the Ruzibazi hydropower station in Burundi, the largest China-aided overseas hydropower station that is still under construction, has been put into operation.

Located on the Ruzibazi River in southern Bujumbura, capital of Burundi, the station was designed and built by Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA).

A view of the Ruzibazi hydropower station in Burundi [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

With a total installed capacity of 15,000 kilowatts, the station is symbolic of the friendship between China and Burundi and has been highly valued by the two governments.

Pierre Nkurunziza, then-president of Burundi, attended the launch ceremony and said that the project would expand cooperation and enhance the level of relations between the two countries.

A bird's-eye view of a workshop of the Ruzibazi hydropower station in Burundi [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

During construction, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Ministry of Water, Energy and Mines of Burundi visited the site several times and gave it high recognition and praise.

More than 40 students and teachers from University of Burundi also visited the station to learn about its design concept and construction plan.

Burundi is an inland country near the equator in the central eastern part of Africa, and its capital has been relying on imported oil for power generation.

Once the new station is fully operational, it is expected to increase the country's power supply by about one-third, which will relieve power shortages, improve local industrial production, promote national economic development and optimize living standards.

(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)