Africa's oldest national park has its first hydropower plant

Published on August 30, 2013 06:13 by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Non Profit

Virunga National Park's first hydropower planthas started to generate electricity this week. The Mutwanga hydroelectric facility will provide clean energy to rural communities that depend on Africa's oldest national park, authorities say.

Most residents in the area currently rely on dirty and dangerous coal stoves for cooking. Gathering of wood for charcoal is time consuming and has led to deforestation in Virunga, which is Africa's most biodiverse protected area.

"This is a huge breakthrough for the park in terms of promoting socio-economic development, and ultimately peace and security," park officials said. "The revenue that will be generated by the Mutwanga hydroelectric plant is also a big first step on the path toward helping the park fund operations even when tourism is closed by conflict."

A report commissioned by WWF found that development of three hydropower plants in Virunga National Park could be the source of 10,000 permanent jobs. Adding two more facilities could also double the amount of power available to people in the area.

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