Water hyacinth is a fast-growing aquatic plant known for its beautiful flowers and significant ecological impact.
However, it is often considered one of the most invasive species in dams and rivers worldwide.
Water hyacinth can clog turbines, reduce water flow, and increase maintenance costs in hydroelectric plants such as the Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project, a joint initiative between Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania, generating 80 Megawatts of power for the three countries.
According to Patrick Lwesya, the project manager of Rusumo Power Company, water hyacinth is the main problem facing the power plant as it affects the amount of electricity supply. "We get 10 to 15 tons of water hyacinth every day, and it clogs the intake part of the hydroelectric power plant, causing a drop of five megawatts in electricity supply.
