Rwanda has signed a $400 million deal to produce bottled gas from Lake Kivu.
The lake emits dense clouds of methane and is known as one of Africa’s “Killer Lakes”.
The project by Gasmeth Energy, which is owned by U.S. and Nigerian businessmen and Rwandans, is meant to suck gas from the lake’s deep floor and bottle it for use as fuel.
This is supposed to help prevent toxic gas bubbling to the surface.
The seven-year deal, signed on Friday, was announced on Tuesday.
There are two companies already extracting gas from Lake Kivu to power electricity plants in Rwanda.
Most households and tea factories in Rwanda rely on wood and charcoal for fuel. Clare Akamanzi, chief executive of the Rwanda Development Board, said bottled methane would help reverse the situation.
“We expect to have affordable gas which is environmentally friendly,” Claire said. “We expect that people can use gas instead of charcoal, the same with industries like tea factories instead of using firewood, they use gas. It’s part of our green agenda.”
The deep waters of Lake Kivu, also poses a big risk for those living along its shores as there are fears that it might erupt owing to its high level of emissions.
Gasmeth Energy plans to finance, build and maintain a gas extraction, processing and compression plant to sell methane domestically and abroad.
The bottled gas is expected to be on sale within two years.
