Full meaning
African Union
Community of Sahel–Saharan States
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
Economic Community of West African States
Foreign direct investment
Gross domestic product
Inclining block tariff(s)
International Monetary Fund
Independent power producer
Kilowatt
Kilowatt hour
Liquid petroleum gas
Megawatt
Pay as you go
Power purchase agreement
Private public partnership
Standard and Poors Global Ratings
Sub-Saharan Africa
Transmission and distribution
Time of use
West African Economic and Monetary Union
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Value added tax
World Bank Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy
Projection for 2030
2017/2018 reporting year
SSA average includes South Africa. Calculation for SSA average and country data: Total consumption (2016) / total population (2016).
SSA average: 18%
This includes diesel, kerosene and gasoline subsidies.
Rates and tariffs were converted with the average exchange rate to the Euro in April 2020. Exchange rates available from ec.europa.eu
Rates and tariffs were converted with the average exchange rate to the Euro in April 2020. Exchange rates available from ec.europa.eu
Rates and tariffs were converted with the average exchange rate to the Euro in April 2020. Exchange rates available from ec.europa.eu
Energy Sector
Burundi
Energy Sector
Investment Overview
On average, only 35 MW of Burundi’s total installed capacity of 82 MW was operational in 2019. The country’s electrification rate of 11% is relatively low while per capita electricity consumption is equal to about 10% of the SSA average. Tariffs are, on average, higher than those in neighbouring countries Kenya and Tanzania, and may be inhibiting consumers’ ability to pay.Electricity demand is expected to quadruple between 2018 and 2025 to about 250 MW, driven in part by a growing population. Low levels of electrification may also contribute to a rapidly increasing demand in the coming years as more areas become electrified. Currently, more than two million households remain without access to electricity. Urban electrification rates of around 70% are in stark contrast to rural rates below 5%, which may drive urbanisation and compound growing demand for electricity. In response to an increasing demand, Burundi plans to increase its installed capacity to 400 MW by 2030.
Private participation in Burundi’s energy sector is limited with most sector activities concentrated within the monopoly held by the national utility. The country’s 2015 Electricity Act makes provision for regimes enabling greater private sector participation in electricity generation. Transmission and distribution remains largely restricted to agents of the state, and the sale of electricity to third parties remains prohibited except for exceptional circumstances.
The 7.5 MW Mabuga solar plant, developed by Gigawatt Global, began construction in 2020 and will be the country’s first grid-connected renewable energy project by an IPP.
Structure
The national utility in Burundi, Régie de Production et de Distribution de l'Eau et de l'Électricité (REGIDESO) (The Water and Electricity Generation and Distribution Public Company), holds a monopoly on transmission and distribution. It can however delegate the construction and operation of isolated grids to non-state entities.
The electricity law permits private generation of electricity, subject to certain conditions. An authorisation regime is applicable to projects exceeding 500 kW, while projects less than 500 kW are subject to a declaration regime. Hydro projects larger than 1 MW are subject to a concession regime. PPP contracts must be signed for all projects that are situated on state-owned land. Selling of surplus electricity to the grid is allowed under certain conditions. Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity for own use are also allowed.
Direct sales of electricity to third parties is not permitted, except in exceptional circumstances deemed in the general interest.
Burundi currently has a few small power producers generating mostly for own use, and construction of the country’s first grid-connected solar project by an IPP commenced in 2020.
Régie de Production et de Distribution de l'Eau et de l'Électricité (REGIDESO) (The Water and Electricity Generation and Distribution Public Company) generates almost all electricity in Burundi (estimated at 94% of installed capacity), with the Agence Burundaise de l'Électrification Rurale (ABER) (Rural Electrification Agency of Burundi) and a few private grid-connected captive power plants generating the remainder. REGIDESO had about 100,000 customers as of January 2020, mainly in Bujumbura.
The national state-owned utility, REGIDESO, is the main operator of transmission infrastructure.
The national state-owned utility, REGIDESO, is the main operator of distribution infrastructure. Régie de Production et de Distribution de l'Eau et de l'Électricité (REGIDESO) (The Water and Electricity Production and Distribution Public Company), established in 1962, is the vertically-integrated state-owned utility. REGIDESO is also the single buyer of IPP-generated electricity.
L'Agence Burundaise de l'Électrification Rurale (ABER) (Burundian Agency for Rural Electrification) is responsible for the implementation and management of rural electrification infrastructure, mainly isolated minigrids.
SINELAC (Société Internationale des Pays des Grands Lacs) is a joint venture between Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to develop and operate international projects. SINELAC supplies electricity to REGIDESO. Ministère de l'Hydraulique, Énergie et des Mines (Ministry of Water, Energy and Mines) designs and implements national policies on energy, geology and mines, ensures the planning, construction and management of water, energy and basic sanitation infrastructure, and participates in energy exchange and partnership programmes with regional and international institutions. AREEN (Autorité de Régulation des secteurs de l'Eau potable et de l'Énergie) (Energy and Water Regulatory Authority) takes responsibility for concession agreements, standards and tariff approval. It released the Burundi Grid Code in September 2019, but the text was not available online by the time of writing. L'Office National de la Tourbe (ONATOUR) (National Agency of Peat) is a public company with the government holding 100% of the shares. Its assignment is the exploitation of peat in Burundi.
Centre d'Études Burundais en Energies Alternatives (CEBEA) (Burundian Centre for Alternative Energies) was created with a general mission of applied research in renewable energy.
Agence Burundaise de Promotion des Investissements (API) (Burundi Investment Promotion Agency) assists foreign investors with setting up operations in Burundi. It published the "Burundi Investment Guidebook" in English, in which it invites investment into the energy sector, in particular renewable energy.
The Burundi Renewable Energy Association (BUREA) is a non-profit association promoting renewable energy, ensuring the promotion and respect of quality standards, developing national, regional and international partnerships and promoting a favourable business environment for renewable energy.
The electricity law permits private generation of electricity, subject to certain conditions. An authorisation regime is applicable to projects exceeding 500 kW, while projects less than 500 kW are subject to a declaration regime. Hydro projects larger than 1 MW are subject to a concession regime. PPP contracts must be signed for all projects that are situated on state-owned land. Selling of surplus electricity to the grid is allowed under certain conditions. Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity for own use are also allowed.
Direct sales of electricity to third parties is not permitted, except in exceptional circumstances deemed in the general interest.
Burundi currently has a few small power producers generating mostly for own use, and construction of the country’s first grid-connected solar project by an IPP commenced in 2020.
Generation:
Régie de Production et de Distribution de l'Eau et de l'Électricité (REGIDESO) (The Water and Electricity Generation and Distribution Public Company) generates almost all electricity in Burundi (estimated at 94% of installed capacity), with the Agence Burundaise de l'Électrification Rurale (ABER) (Rural Electrification Agency of Burundi) and a few private grid-connected captive power plants generating the remainder. REGIDESO had about 100,000 customers as of January 2020, mainly in Bujumbura.
Transmission:
The national state-owned utility, REGIDESO, is the main operator of transmission infrastructure.
Distribution:
The national state-owned utility, REGIDESO, is the main operator of distribution infrastructure. Régie de Production et de Distribution de l'Eau et de l'Électricité (REGIDESO) (The Water and Electricity Production and Distribution Public Company), established in 1962, is the vertically-integrated state-owned utility. REGIDESO is also the single buyer of IPP-generated electricity.
L'Agence Burundaise de l'Électrification Rurale (ABER) (Burundian Agency for Rural Electrification) is responsible for the implementation and management of rural electrification infrastructure, mainly isolated minigrids.
SINELAC (Société Internationale des Pays des Grands Lacs) is a joint venture between Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to develop and operate international projects. SINELAC supplies electricity to REGIDESO. Ministère de l'Hydraulique, Énergie et des Mines (Ministry of Water, Energy and Mines) designs and implements national policies on energy, geology and mines, ensures the planning, construction and management of water, energy and basic sanitation infrastructure, and participates in energy exchange and partnership programmes with regional and international institutions. AREEN (Autorité de Régulation des secteurs de l'Eau potable et de l'Énergie) (Energy and Water Regulatory Authority) takes responsibility for concession agreements, standards and tariff approval. It released the Burundi Grid Code in September 2019, but the text was not available online by the time of writing. L'Office National de la Tourbe (ONATOUR) (National Agency of Peat) is a public company with the government holding 100% of the shares. Its assignment is the exploitation of peat in Burundi.
Centre d'Études Burundais en Energies Alternatives (CEBEA) (Burundian Centre for Alternative Energies) was created with a general mission of applied research in renewable energy.
Agence Burundaise de Promotion des Investissements (API) (Burundi Investment Promotion Agency) assists foreign investors with setting up operations in Burundi. It published the "Burundi Investment Guidebook" in English, in which it invites investment into the energy sector, in particular renewable energy.
The Burundi Renewable Energy Association (BUREA) is a non-profit association promoting renewable energy, ensuring the promotion and respect of quality standards, developing national, regional and international partnerships and promoting a favourable business environment for renewable energy.
Key Actors
Gridfinder Map
Transmission (OSM)
Distribution (predicted)
Electrification targets
Utility/distributor
Régie de Production et de Distribution de l'Eau et de l'Électricité (REGIDESO) (The Water and Electricity Production and Distribution Public Company), established in 1962, is the vertically-integrated state-owned utility. REGIDESO is also the single buyer of IPP-generated electricity.L'Agence Burundaise de l'Électrification Rurale (ABER) (Burundian Agency for Rural Electrification) is responsible for the implementation and management of rural electrification infrastructure, mainly isolated minigrids.
SINELAC (Société Internationale des Pays des Grands Lacs) is a joint venture between Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to develop and operate international projects. SINELAC supplies electricity to REGIDESO.
Ministry (Ministries)
Ministère de l'Hydraulique, Énergie et des Mines (Ministry of Water, Energy and Mines) designs and implements national policies on energy, geology and mines, ensures the planning, construction and management of water, energy and basic sanitation infrastructure, and participates in energy exchange and partnership programmes with regional and international institutions.Regulator
AREEN (Autorité de Régulation des secteurs de l'Eau potable et de l'Énergie) (Energy and Water Regulatory Authority) takes responsibility for concession agreements, standards and tariff approval. It released the Burundi Grid Code in September 2019, but the text was not available online by the time of writing.Others
L'Office National de la Tourbe (ONATOUR) (National Agency of Peat) is a public company with the government holding 100% of the shares. Its assignment is the exploitation of peat in Burundi.Centre d'Études Burundais en Energies Alternatives (CEBEA) (Burundian Centre for Alternative Energies) was created with a general mission of applied research in renewable energy.
Agence Burundaise de Promotion des Investissements (API) (Burundi Investment Promotion Agency) assists foreign investors with setting up operations in Burundi. It published the "Burundi Investment Guidebook" in English, in which it invites investment into the energy sector, in particular renewable energy.
The Burundi Renewable Energy Association (BUREA) is a non-profit association promoting renewable energy, ensuring the promotion and respect of quality standards, developing national, regional and international partnerships and promoting a favourable business environment for renewable energy.
Tariffs
Tariff components
Consumption Charge (€/ kWh):
€0.15
Fixed Charge (€/month):
High residential use: €3.27
Commercial (average across IBTs): €3.97
Government: €5.52
Commercial (average across IBTs): €3.97
Government: €5.52
Consumption Charge (€/ kWh):
€0.12
Fixed charge (€/ kW/month):
Standard: €6.13 (average across categories)
Surcharge: €8.36 (average across categories)
Surcharge: €8.36 (average across categories)
N/A
Average retail tariff by consumption category
Average LV
14.7
Residential (average of IBTs)
14.7
Commercial (average of IBTs)
14.5
Government
15
Average MV
12.2
Commercial & Industrial (average of categories)
12.2
N/A
Is the retail electricity tariff subject to periodic review?
NoBurundi reviewed their electricity tariffs in 2012 and again in 2017. The latter review formed part of a plan to reduce regular energy shortages by buying additional energy from expensive diesel-fired sources, necessitating a review and subsequent significant tariff increase.
Quality standards
Le Bureau Burundais de Normalisation et Contrôle de la Qualité (BBN) (Burundian Office for Standardisation and Quality Control) develops quality standards, grants certifications and exercises quality control in Burundi. Standards in Burundi are typically adopted from International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) or East Africa Community (EAC) standards.
Electrification rates
% National electrification rate
2018
% Rural electrification rate
2018
% Urban electrification rate
2018
Total installed capacity (MW)
2030
401
2018
82.28
Peak demand (MW)
2025
249
2018
87
Electricity consumption by sector (MWh), 2017
Commercial & Public Services
N/A
Residential
N/A
Industrial
N/A
Per capita electricity consumption (kWh/person)
2016
36.49
SSA average (2016)
365.6
Electricity and petroleum product subsidies (% of GDP)
Electricity subsidies, 2017No data
N/A
Petroleum product subsidies, 2017
0.00%
IMF reports $0.00 in billions of dollars. Most likely the subsidy amount in Burundi is too small to be considered on this scale.