Janvier Ndayizigiye

I lead the structured development of hydropower projects in line with DFI, IFC, and World Bank standards, advancing projects from early-stage screening through bankable feasibility, licensing, and readiness for financing and construction. My work integrates hydrological science, multi-disciplinary engineering, grid integration, financial modelling, and regulatory compliance to deliver climate-resilient, investment-ready renewable energy assets.

Led the development of hydropower projects across Burundi, from identifying promising sites and assessing their potential, through detailed feasibility studies, PPP structuring, and PPA negotiations, all the way to construction and long-term operations. Working closely with engineers, government partners, and private sector stakeholders, I help turn complex infrastructure ideas into reliable, sustainable energy assets that support both national and regional development goals.

Oversee the development, construction, and operation of hydropower projects, ensuring scalability, profitability, and compliance with technical, legal, and commercial standards. Lead portfolio expansion efforts, secure Power Purchase Agreements, achieve financial close, and drive project viability through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. Additionally, manage stakeholder relationships, optimize project execution, and contribute to advancing renewable energy adoption in the region. Led portfolio expansion resulting in the allocation of over 100 MW of solar and hydropower capacity, secured via Memorandum of Understanding in June 2025 and a successful Expression of Interest bid in August 2025 in Burundi, in compliance with national allocation procedures.

Responsible for Development, Planning, Design, Construction, and Operation of Hydropower projects in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Burundi.

Responsible for Development, Planning, Design, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of Hydro Projects. With special responsibility to ensure good relations with the management and employees of the other companies within the Group, Contributing so that Managers and staff at all times receive the necessary Services and Assistance.

Responsible for hydraulic design, construction supervision and quality assurance, hydraulic projects development and planning, and bidding and tendering processes. Led the company to successful: Hydraulic design of Kigali Infrastructure Project Phase-I (KIP-I); Zimbabwe pole plant design ( Rainwater harvesting system)- Under Rural Electrification Program ( Rwanda-Zimbabwe Partnership); Hydraulic design of Kibaya-Rukira-Nasho project (Howard G. Buffet initiative) for Nasho irrigation project access; Hydraulic design of Singita-Bisate-Amakoro Access roads; Hydraulic design of Imbuga City walk.

Deployed as resident Hydropower Engineer during the recovery and completion phase of the Rukarara-Mushishito HPP (5 MW), delivering on-site technical support across civil, hydraulic, and electromechanical disciplines on a nationally significant project subsequently inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of Rwanda and Mauritius and commissioned into Rwanda's national electricity grid. Ensured project compliance with REG and RURA regulatory frameworks, national technical standards, grid interconnection requirements, and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) conditions, building direct working knowledge of Rwanda's PPA licensing and grid compliance architecture. Provided technical oversight across intake structures, waterways, penstocks, powerhouse equipment, and electromechanical installations at both river heads, ensuring conformance with design specifications, quality control standards, and commissioning readiness milestones required for grid interconnection approval. Coordinated across the owner's representative, EPC site teams, and equipment suppliers, maintaining design-to-site coherence, quality documentation, and regulatory-grade technical records in line with Rwanda's energy sector licensing requirements. Supported ESIA compliance monitoring on site, including erosion control, watercourse management, and community engagement obligations in accordance with the project's ESMP and applicable national environmental regulations.

Responsible for: Hydraulic modeling and designs of two-stage inclined wells, and two bifurcation points of four branched pipes; Hydraulic designs of a two-hole as part of water conveyance system; Structural designs review of lower reservoir components including reservoir banks, water inlets, and water outlets; Hydrology and Hydraulic analysis for feasibility study report. Led the company to compliant designs according to client's technical specifications.

Contract civil engineer embedded across concurrent infrastructure programmes; water treatment, wastewater systems, and institutional construction, delivering project controls, schedule management, and performance reporting against PMI/FIDIC standards. Responsabilities: Developed and maintained CPM-based project schedules (WBS, milestones, critical path) for multi-discipline civil works using Primavera P6 / MS Project frameworks. Produced weekly and monthly project performance dashboards tracking Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and Cost Performance Index (CPI) per PMBOK EVM guidelines. Led construction planning activities including method statements, resource loading, and look-ahead scheduling for structural and MEP works. Authored standardisation playbooks and QA/QC procedures aligned with ISO 9001 and local statutory requirements; enforced on-site through inspection and test plans (ITPs). Coordinated design-to-construction interface for wastewater collection, treatment, and waste management systems, reviewing hydraulic and structural drawings for constructability. Key Achievements: Delivered the Mahama Water Treatment Plant (2,000 m³/day capacity), a greenfield potable-water facility serving Burundian Refugees; tracked from ground-breaking to commissioning against a compressed programme. Managed project controls for the University of Rwanda – Rusizi Campus multistorey complex, integrating a purpose-built institutional waste management system; monitored SPI >0.95 throughout execution phase. Established a reusable project playbook standardising reporting templates, schedule baselines, and QA checklists, adopted across subsequent firm projects, reducing mobilisation time by an estimated 30%. Maintained parallel delivery of wastewater treatment plant programmes while simultaneously supporting the Mahama and UR-Rusizi projects, zero schedule overruns attributed to planning failures.

Applied analysis over theory, using real technologies, such as commercial solar PV, fossil fuel plants, nuclear power, and energy efficiency measures, to estimate capital and operating costs, profitability, emissions, and environmental benefits. Acquire the knowledge and technical know-how to compare energy options on a consistent, data-driven basis, weighing cost, pollution reduction, and broader societal considerations.