Record-breaking tender in Rwanda: 200 MW floating solar farm and 800 MWh BESS to be built

Rwanda is taking a major step towards large-scale energy transformation. The state-owned Energy Development Corporation Limited has announced a tender for the construction of a 200 MW floating solar farm combined with a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 800 MWh. The project will be located on Lake Sake in Ngoma District, Eastern Province.

IPP model and long-term PPA

The project will be developed under the independent power producer (IPP) model. The successful bidder will be responsible for the entire project lifecycle, from design and component supply to construction, commissioning, long-term operation and maintenance of the facility.

The electricity generated will be purchased by the state-owned Rwanda Energy Group through its subsidiary EUCL, with which the selected investor will sign a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).

Key tender requirements and timeline:

• Required experience – bidders must demonstrate at least 10 years of experience in designing, constructing and managing renewable energy power plants.
• Site visit – took place on 23 October 2026.
• Deadline for initial bids – 12 November 2026.

Also check out our expert article, “Top 10 leaders in energy transformation”.

A major leap in market development and the potential of floating solar PV in Africa

For Rwanda, this project represents a major technological breakthrough. According to data from AFSIA, the country’s total installed solar PV capacity has so far reached just 47.5 MW.

The investment is part of a broader trend towards using water bodies for solar power generation across Africa. Research indicates that covering just 1% of the surface area of the continent’s reservoirs with floating solar panels could provide as much as 100 GW of clean energy generation capacity.

Currently, the largest operational installation of this type in Africa is a 13 MW facility in Morocco, while a project with a planned capacity of 600 MW is being developed on Lake Kariba, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.