"Trade-off between renewable energy generation and environmental management in Rwanda: A case of Mushishito -Rukarara V hydropower plant in Nyamagabe District"

Fossil fuels contribute to environmental deterioration and climate change, necessitating environmental protection. Promoting sustainable energy sources like hydropower is crucial for addressing climate change and preserving natural resources, but their construction negatively impacts the hydrological landscape and raises concerns. The main objective of this study was to assess the trade-off between renewable energy generation and environmental management in Rwanda, Case of Rukarara V hydro power plant in Nyamagabe District. This study was guided by the following specific objectives: (i)To assess the environmental and social impacts value of the Mushishito-Rukarara V Hydropower Plant; (ii)To determine the costs and benefits of Mushishito-Rukarara V HP Plant in terms of energy generation and environmental protection.Significant attitudes were determined through structured interviews and site inspections using quantitative and qualitative methods. These findings were used to analyze project stages and actions, assessing environmental impacts and evaluating their relative importance. Author, revealed that the summation of positive and negative impacts of Mushishito-Rukarara V hydro power plant has reached to a value of -3 of EIV showing that the project's construction operations had a negligible negative influence on a number of environmental elements, and it was recommended that the project be approved with precautions taken to reduce any bad effects in order to ultimately reap greater advantages from it. The scenario analyzed focuses on financial returns, excluding environmental effects, with a Benefit-Cost Ratio of 1.84. The second scenario, with a Benefit-cost Ratio of 1.55, shows lower profit margin due to severe environmental impacts. The scenario analysis reveals that the Mushishito-Rukarara V HP project, despite its energy generation, does not compromise environmental conservation, benefiting both the project's owners and local communities.