Call for Applications: Professional Short Course — Mini-Grids Planning and Design for Rwanda

Course overview

The Africa Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACE-ESD) at the
University of Rwanda offered a practical, Rwanda-focused professional short course,
“Mini-Grids Planning and Design for Rwanda.”

Through a blend of seminars, software training, field exercises, and case studies,
participants gained hands-on skills in feasibility assessment, technical design, and
project implementation within Rwanda’s policy, regulatory, and technical landscape.

Key learning outcomes

• Navigate Rwanda's mini-grid policy and regulatory framework.
• Conduct comprehensive feasibility studies and site assessments.
• Perform technical design and system optimization using industry-standard tools.
• Develop sustainable business models and financial plans for mini-grid projects.
• Manage project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation in line with national standards.

Who should apply?

• Postgraduate students in energy-related fields.
• Engineers and technical staff from Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and private energy developers.
• District Energy Officers and environmental officers.
• Energy project managers, consultants, and developers active in Rwanda.

Course structure & delivery

Four intensive seminars totalling 54 hours of training.
Mode of delivery: blended (physical sessions at ACE-ESD with practical field exercises).

• Seminar 1: Rwandan Policy & Regulatory Framework for Mini-Grids (15 hours)
  Lead faculty: Dr. Geofrey Gasore
  SEIA process, national electrification policy, RURA licensing, contracting frameworks, and comparative African models.
• Seminar 2: Feasibility Study & Technical Assessment (15 hours)
  Lead faculty: Dr. Eustache Hakizimana & Dr. Geofrey Gasore
  Site selection using GIS, demand assessment, productive use of energy, and feasibility reporting.
• Seminar 3: Technical Design & System Architecture (15 hours)
  Lead faculty: Assoc. Prof. JMV Bikorimana
  AC/DC systems, HOMER software training, protection systems, and design validation.
• Seminar 4: Project Development & Implementation (9 hours)
  Lead faculty: Dr. Jean de Dieu Hakizimana
  Business models, financing, tariff setting, procurement, and M&E frameworks.

Practical training & resources

• Software tools: HOMER Pro, GIS applications, financial modeling software.
• Field exercises: site assessments, community engagement simulations, technical inspections.
• Case studies: Nyagatare Solar Mini-Grid, Gisagara Hydro Mini-Grid, Rubavu Hybrid System.
• Guest lecturers: experts from REG, RURA, REMA, BRD, and successful mini-grid developers.

Assessment & certification

• Individual feasibility study for a proposed mini-grid site.
• Technical design project using HOMER software.
• Business model and financial plan development.
• Final integrated mini-grid development proposal.

Successful participants received a Certificate of Completion from the
University of Rwanda – ACE-ESD.

Contact

Dr. Bernard B. Munyazikwiye
Head of Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering · TEA-LP Project Investigator
b.munyazikwiye@ur.ac.rw · +250 788 842 534

Dr. Emmanuel Ufiteyezu
ACE-ESD Center Director · TEA-LP Project Implementer
ufiteyezuem@yahoo.fr · +250 782 122 418